Work will also resume this week at its Bison Precast factory in Derbyshire.

The move follows restarts by Ibstock and Michelmersh as house builders start returning to site.

Chief executive Stephen Harrison said: “Since our announcement last month that we would be temporarily halting production at most of our manufacturing sites, we have been planning alternative working practices that enable us to recommence manufacturing while keeping our staff safe and able to socially distance.

“Following guidance from the NHS, Public Health England and the Construction Leadership Council, we have started the process of carrying our risk assessments and are pleased to announce that we plan to fire up kilns ready to start production at one of our brick manufacturing facilities.

“Also we shall recommence production of our hollowcore product at Bison Precast in Swadlincote.

“We expect this to be followed by the reopening of two more plants in May.

“Due to the current high inventory levels we anticipate that the majority of our plants will reopen during June and July.

“This move means that we shall be able to support our housebuilder customers as they also begin the process of returning to work over the coming days and weeks, ramping up our production as and when inventory and demand from the market requires.

“This return to business is encouraging and we must all adjust to the new ways of working that ensure the safety of our staff and our customers and the continued success of our industry.”