TWO local building firms will benefit from the expertise and skills of travelling French craftsmen.

The craftsmen are members of the Compagnons du Tour de France — a French organisation of artisans and craftsmen dating back to the Middle Ages. After completing up to two years' study in France they must travel abroad for a year and find work in their chosen field.

Moretonhampstead-based Character Builders South West will host a stonemason for a year, while Emmanuel Hendry Timber Framing will host a joiner.

The compagnons' high level of technical skill will benefit the companies not just through day-to-day work but also through evening classes for the company workforce.

Tom Diffey, company director of Character Builders said: 'It's great to be able to support and train our workforce in such an interesting way.

'As a company that works with traditional building methods it feels appropriate to be tapping into the tradition of compagnons. This old fashioned sense of a skilled 'journeyman' has a real sense of heritage but one that fits well with the running of a modern company.'