A team of Pudsey-based specialist plasterers are among the first craftsmen in Yorkshire to gain a new official recognition for their skills.

Jason Rider, Steve Waterhouse and Sean Chamberlain are among eight plasterers at Ornate Interiors to qualify for a gold standard in their craft by gaining their Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards in Heritage Skills.

Ronnie Clifford, Ornate Interiors managing director, who was one of the proponents of the card scheme, said: “This is a positive step forward for ourselves, the industry and the wider heritage skills sector.

“We work on and in many architectural landmarks that capture our history, and it’s vital that we all know how to protect, preserve and respect our construction heritage to the highest of standards.”

The cards have been developed by industry training body ConstructionSkills, with the support of English Heritage, partly to alleviate a shortage of heritage skills by encouraging more people to train and qualify as craftsmen.

Sophie Norton, regional heritage skills co-ordinator, said: “Organisations such as English Heritage, the National Trust and British Waterways are already seeking to ensure that their staff hold the card if they are involved in working on historic buildings.

“A number of private companies are also committed to qualifying their workforce so that they can show their high level of skill when asked.

“Ornate Interiors were among the first companies in Yorkshire to encourage their staff to apply for the card, and can be proud that a large proportion of their workforce is fully qualified.”