Stoke-on-Trent plans to celebrate 100 years of city status

It obtained city status in 1925, following a direct approach to King George V, to recognise the city's considerable contributions to the pottery industry

The community of Stoke-on-Trent is being urged to get involved with a year long programme next year to celebrate 100-years of city status.

Next year, it will be a century since Stoke attained the status, from His Majesty King George V in 1925.

The city council said it was looking for businesses and volunteers to take part in the programme.

Leader Jane Ashworth said planning was in its early stages, "but expect some exciting announcements" soon.

The aim of the programme is to "celebrate the rich heritage of the city and tell the story of how Stoke-on-Trent became a city".

Council leader Jane Ashworth said funding for the programme will have to come from UK Shared Prosperity Fund

Stoke first obtained city status on 5 June 1925, as the king recognised the city's considerable contributions to the pottery industry.

Funding for the celebration programme will not be coming from council budgets, following revelations last week about its financial struggles.

The authority has confirmed it would have to cut "pretty much everything" it was not legally obliged to provide if it failed to agree a financial support deal with the government.

Ms Ashworth said: "As we do not have spare money from the council's budgets to pay for this celebration, we will allocate funding from sources such as the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (USPF) to get the ball rolling."

The USPF provides £2.6bn of new funding for local investment by March 2025, with all areas of the UK receiving an allocation, via a funding formula rather than a competition.