The UK\'s 8th Natural Stone Show at ExCeL, London,†11-13 March has sold out in record time and extra space has had to be booked at ExCeL to accommodate all the exhibitors.

Show Director Richard Bradbury says: "The natural stone market in the UK has grown enormously over the past decade as architects, designers and clients have made stone the material of choice for all kinds of construction, hard landscaping and interior design. And, of course, it\'s still much in demand for conservation and restoration work, and even memorials.

Official figures reveal just how dynamic the natural stone†market in the UK has been in recent years with the level of imports between 2002 and 2006 increasing by†85% in volume. The industry is now worth more than £1.15billion per annum at the consumer end.

It is against this background that the UK\'s stone industry as well as many of the world\'s largest and most prestigious stone companies will be showcasing their materials at the Natural Stone Show in March.

The exhibitors include international front runners such as Antolini Luigi, Cereser Marmi, Fratelli Poggi,†Edilgraniti and Cremar from Italy, Hofmann, Stiegler and Solnhofen Group from Germany, Levantina, Minera de Rocas and Pavestone from Spain, Beltrami and BMB from Belgium and various companies from China and India with unique materials and keen prices.

The UK industry is also there in force with the Stone Federation having a \'stone village\' where some of the top stone producers, masonry companies, contractors and consultants in the UK will be exhibiting.

As well as the stone, there will be plenty of machinery on view, so if you are thinking of investing in your workshop this year there is no better place to make your final decisions.

The full list of exhibitors can be seen on the Natural Stone Show website (stoneshow.co.uk) where you can also pre-register for free tickets for yourself and guests you are bringing to the show to avoid having to queue when you get to ExCeL.