A BUILDING products firm which employs about 40 people in County Durham has won an industrial award.

Forticrete Limited has been named Construction Product Manufacturer of the Year in the Contract Journal Awards - one of the industry's highest accolades.

The company has more than a dozen sites across the UK, including one at Thornley Station Industrial Estate, Shotton Colliery, County Durham.

The North-East office opened more than 20 years ago and has become the firm's main base for architectural masonry work.

Forticrete's managing director, Shaun Gray, was delighted to scoop the title and to also be nominated for a marketing and business development award.

He said: "To win this premier award is a tremendous achievement as it is a recognition of all the hard work that has been put in over the past five years by everyone from the shop-floor to the management team."

The panel of judges commented: "Forticrete is giving a lot to the industry and invests heavily in research and development.

"It is making a huge effort to understand its position in and potential contribution to the industry and demonstrated a positive culture within the company."

Forticrete, which will mark its 75th anniversary next year, employs almost 500 people producing architectural masonry, cast stone walling and roofing products.