Date set for Stoke-on-Trent Middleport Pottery revamp

The charity took over ownership of the factory last year

An £8.5m renovation of the UK's last working Victorian pottery factory in Stoke-on-Trent will start in October.

The Prince's Regeneration Trust (PRT) has been granted planning permission to renovate Middleport Pottery in Burslem.

The plans include bringing redundant buildings into community use - creating workshops, a café, gallery and heritage visitor centre.

The trust said pottery production would continue throughout the revamp, which is set to be completed in spring 2014.

The renovation is being funded by a range of public bodies and private donations, a spokeswoman said.

Ros Kerlake, chief executive of the trust, said: "We are not turning the site into a museum, we are developing it as an accessible, relevant community asset that we hope everyone will enjoy."

Burleigh blue and white floral china has been made at Middleport Pottery since 1888.

The factory, and 45 jobs, were saved by a £7.5m investment at the building last year.

PRT said it acquired the Grade II* listed building to save jobs and local skills as well as ensure the future of the site.