As well as having an important role in new build, hard landscaping and interior design, stone also plays an important role in the £3.5billion conservation sector that has a thriving community of specialists committed to safeguarding the UK's built heritage.

This side of the stone industry is represented at the show through a dedicated conservation area co-ordinated by English Heritage and other organisations including Historic Scotland, the Institute of Conservation, the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, English Stone Forum and the Institute of Historic Building Conservation.

Visitors can seek advice from experts in this area as well as attending the conservation session of the Natural Stone & Building Conservation Conference (see page 15).