A 24-year-old West Yorkshire carpenter has launched a business aimed at keeping traditional building methods alive.

Stephen Jefferson, from Pool-in-Wharfedale, will specialise in heritage work, restoring a wide range of historic and listed buildings throughout the North of England.

After completing a carpentry and joinery course at Leeds College of Building and working as an apprentice for five years, Stephen won one of only 10 places on the Building Craft Apprentices Programme, which is part of the Prince of Wales Heritage Scheme.

He spent eight months working alongside some of the UK’s leading master craftsmen who specialise in traditional building and conservation methods. He then spent two years working for one of the UK’s leading traditional building companies, in Wales.

Through his new venture, Stephen Jefferson Joinery, he offers a full range of heritage carpentry and joinery services, including green oak framing and traditional roofing.

He now hopes his new business can give other young people the chance to do an apprenticeship and learn about traditional building techniques.

Stephen said: “I spent a couple of years working on new properties but it was always older buildings that fascinated me, where things are rarely symmetrical and have often been in place for hundreds of years.

“My former tutor at Leeds College of Building, Joe Clancy, persuaded me to apply for the Prince of Wales Heritage Scheme and it has completely transformed my career.

“In the last two years the newest building I have worked on was 300 years old and the oldest was The Old Duchy Palace in Cornwall, which is a Grade I listed 700-year-old building.

“There’s definitely demand for traditional building skills, covering everything from residential barn conversions through to the restoration of historic buildings, but these skills are dying out.

“In time I hope to become a master craftsman and share my knowledge and experience with other young apprentices who can make a fantastic career out of it while also helping to maintain the UK’s building heritage.”

College tutor Mr Clancy said: “It’s always great to hear from former students who are doing well and I’m delighted that Stephen has started this business.

“When he joined the college it was immediately obvious he had an exciting future ahead of him.

“He definitely has an eye for detail and his tenacious approach to his work is ideally suited to traditional building methods so there’s no doubt his new business will be a huge success.”