A COLLECTOR of bricks from the Borders has not only built an impressive collection - but he's also now scooped a major award.

Jedburgh's Mark Cranston was presented with a Scottish Heritage Angel Award in recognition of his research into the Scottish brick industry.

As well as amassing a huge collection of Scottish bricks Mark has researched the history of each one, and meticulously recorded his findings.

Mr Cranston’s efforts earned him an award in the Investigating and Recording category, which was presented at a special ceremony at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms on Tuesday.

Mark said: "I’m delighted to get the award but even happier that the former brick and tile manufacturing industry in Scotland is getting the recognition it deserves.

"I would like to say a big thanks to all those many people who helped with the project by donating bricks and memorabilia, or pointing me in the right direction of where to find them or indeed supplying information on the old brick works.

"Every day I’m contacted by people across Scotland, and from around the world, which just demonstrates the impact of this now-forgotten industry on our country, and the industrial revolution across the globe.

"I hope to continue this project for many years to come and built our understanding of this important aspect of Scottish history, and as such I would encourage anyone with an interest in this topic, big or small to please get in touch.”

Funded by the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, the awards are a celebration of the efforts of remarkable volunteers, or ‘Angels’ who give up their time to help better understand, appreciate, protect and celebrate Scotland’s heritage and history.

The winners of this year’s Angel Awards were decided by a judging panel consisting of Professor John Hume (OBE), conservation architect Andrew Wright (OBE), Georgia Vullinghs, of the Scotland’s Urban Past Youth Forum, Colin McLean, Chair of the Scottish Civic Trust, and Vanessa Collingridge.

The judges stated: “We were extremely impressed with Mark’s commitment and dedication to his project. "This was clearly a real labour of love but it has created a unique record of Scotland’s brickmarks which will be of great benefit to historians, conservators, architects and many other people working and volunteering in the historic environment. Mark’s enthusiasm and single-mindedness shone through.

"He is a worthy winner.”

During the four years since Mark began his project, he has travelled all over Scotland to gather both information and bricks, trawling libraries and archives, as well as meeting with many people who assist with locating and donating bricks to his cause.

There currently exists no official national record or index of Scottish brickmarks and, prior to Mark’s project, our knowledge extended to just 350 Scottish brick makers.

Mark now has more than 2,000 examples, so has expanded understanding on the subject considerably.