Brick producers are starting to replenish stockpiles offering contractors far more choice again after the surge in demand left reserves severely depleted.

The latest figures published by the Office for National Statistics show brick producers have got on top of the sudden surge in demand lifting production by 7% compared to last year.

Stock levels slumped to just 323m last October, down almost a third from 500m in 2012, and more than one billion recorded in 2009.

The Government’s Help to Buy scheme boosted construction in a bid to meet the ever increasing appetite for new housing which resulted in increased demand for bricks.

Simon Hay, CEO of the Brick Development Association said: “The brick industry has reacted swiftly in order to meet new demand by increasing brick production by nearly 7% in comparison to the same period in 2014, a tremendous effort by a capital-intensive industry.

“For the first time since the economic downturn, production is approaching 1 billion bricks in a six month period.

“Stock levels have also grown to nearly 450 million, a 33% rise in comparison to the stock levels at the first half of 2014, meaning choice in brick is now possible with reasonable lead in times.”