KIRKSTONE Quarries has also undergone major changes, with a move to new premises and the creation of new jobs.

The firm has taken warehouse space at the Main Line Industrial Estate, near Milnthorpe, after outgrowing its facilities at Skelwith Bridge. The relocation will also free up space at Skelwith Bridge, paving the way for the expansion of the firm's production facilities.

Kirkstone offers a range of more than 70 stones and mosaics in tile format, or slab for cutting dimensional stone, kitchen worktops and vanity units.

The growth in the stone tile side of the business has given Kirkstone the opportunity to concentrate on indigenous Lake District products, which had suffered as a result of increased competition from imports. For while Kirkstone's silver and sea green slates may be superior in quality and strength to imported slates, they can cost up to twice the price.

Now the firm is aiming to reinvest all the savings gained from the move to Milnthorpe in the latest production machinery, which will enable its own slates to compete more successfully with imported products.

Kirkstone has recruited an additional five workers who will be trained in the latest stone production techniques and added to the 37-strong team at Skelwith Bridge.

In addition, the firm is hoping to establish a youth training programme for school leavers interested in learning the skills of the one of the area's traditional manufacturing industries.