Duke of Kent officially opens Stoke pottery factory

Wade Ceramics is best known for its Gluggle Jugs

The Duke of Kent has officially opened Wade Ceramics' new £7.5m factory in Stoke-on-Trent.

Wade Ceramics, which makes pottery decanters, marked its 200th anniversary with the ceremony at its new facility in Festival Park.

The company has also secured a five-year contract with Scotch Whisky producers Chivas Brothers.

Managing director Paul Farmer said the new plant would help to secure the company's future.

"It is an investment in our workforce and shows that the British pottery industry can still be competitive in world markets," added Mr Farmer.

He said: "We know the Duke of Kent has a great interest in the British manufacturing industry...He will be marking a new era for Wade at the start of our third century of production."

The Duke unveiled a plaque at the ceremony which also saw the company's production manager Martin Austin presented with a long service award.

Wade sells more than 100,000 of its Gluggle Jug water jugs, fish-shaped pitchers that make a gurgling sound when poured, every year to a worldwide market.

The company moved production to the new purpose-built site earlier this year from its previous factory two miles away in Burslem, where it had been based for more than 150 years.