It has been quite a journey for award-winning blacksmith Chris Brammall.

From setting up his own blacksmith business in an old barn in Graythwaite, Chris has forged his way to become one of Britain's leading metal workers.

His career ignited when Chris took up a blacksmith course at Hereford College of Art and Design after previously wanting to become a furniture designer.

The decision carved the way for the blacksmith to build his empire and found a medium to express his designs and creativity.

Fresh out of college, Chris set up his own business in Graythwaite on his own, creating small interior pieces.

His talented portfolio grew before he landed his first commission job, designing and making the Whitley Bay town clock.

He said: "I took to it like a duck to water and it has stayed with me ever since.

"I set up a workshop and started to design my own work.

“I had a clear idea of what I wanted to do but I did not think it would take me to this.

"My ambition was always to do public work – that was my goal.

He added: "Those sorts of opportunities you can’t turn down, it was key for my career."

The order books began to fill rapidly as his portfolio grew, and Chris decided to build his own workshop in Low Mill Business Park.

His self-built workshop includes a large spray booth for paint finishing work, both ferrous and non ferrous working areas and a suitably large external yard for large projects.

Chris said that he is happy where the business is but did not rule out the possibility of potential expansion if the company grew once more.

He said: "You can never say never really.

"My focus is about what we build and having the right craftsman and tradesman on board.

"The hardest part of the business is getting people who will do work to my quality and what I want."

Chris added: "We have that but it is limited – we need people who have got extra qualities and extra will to be better and complete work to the standard I want.

"We only grow the business when we have the right people with us."

No job is the same for Chris Brammall - from gates and railings through to large sculptural pieces for heritage sites and councils in the heart of a city centre - the team are passionate about delivering a first-class service and paying attention to every small detail.

Last month, it was announced that the blacksmith will will make a new metal, 9.3 metre high ladder which will help visitors climb to the top of the Bowder Stone, in the Borrowdale Valley, near Keswick.

It will replace the one made of timber which has been on-site at the attraction since the 1980s.

Chris has a small team of craftsman and tradesman who are renowned for their exquisite talent.

He said: "We have a strong team including two apprentices, which is fantastic – having people who want to come in and make a difference is key to the company.

"I want to create more of my own designs that I have wanted to produce for a while.

"I will produce a macquette of my work so the lads can build from that.

"With my work, I make sure that it is done to my standard and the quality I want it.

"I make smaller models so they can measure all the sections and gaps so they know exactly how I want it to look when it is complete."

The blacksmith said his business has seen a lot of ups and downs but loves his job that he does.

He said: "As a business we have been through two recessions so we get our ups and downs and changes in direction.

"It is something I have always wanted to do since I was a child - it was all I have ever done.

"I have received a lot of support from family and friends and it's made a huge difference for my career.

"It's all about seizing opportunities and it's all about staying true to myself and what I want to build."