KIRKSTONE Quarries Ltd has secured a seven-year contract to supply stone to a prestigious French vinyard.

More than 275 tonnes of stone have been ordered for a five-phase project to re-modernise the production and visitor facilities at the winery in Bordeaux.

The deal, worth more than £300,000 to the South Lakeland firm, will see Kirkstone source stone from different quarries in Portugal, Italy and France as well as its own blue black slate from its Brathay quarry, near Hawkshead.

The French firm, which cannot be named for contractual reasons, is said to be one of the country’s leading wine labels.

Nick Fecit, managing director of Kirkstone Quarries Ltd, which employs 38 staff, said: “This is a hugely challenging project on a very tight time line, but we can deliver. This type of project allows us to demonstrate our extensive knowledge of stone along with our international logistical skills.

“We have put forward a package of quality materials which are pleasing to the eye and which will provide a functional finish to a beautiful scheme.”