Stone Works UK, who have just moved into new premises at Cramlington, Northumberland, have set up a new service offering to repair scratched black granite worktops without leaving a halo.

Stone Works UK was set up three years ago by Stephen Riley\'s Advanced Cleaning Applications business to specialise in cleaning and repairing stone floors. But following a visit to America and training under Fred Heuston, chairman of the International Stone Institute, Stephen Riley learnt what he believes is the rare skill of being able to polish black granite invisibly. Back in the UK he set up a 10m counter top at his premises to teach his 60 operatives the technique and is now offering the service to fabricators and fixers as an alternative to having to replace damaged tops.

He is now offering a restoration service for black granite worktops - or any other granite, although lighter granites have less of a problem with haloing - across the country. He admits that with an average call out cost of around £300 the service is not cheap - unless, that is, it is compared with the cost of replacing the worktop. If it is a service you need, contact Stone Works UK on Tel: 07939 945131. Email: info@stoneworksuk.co.uk.