Potteries based ceramics firm Portmeirion recently held a recruitment event in a bid to bring 12 new apprentices into the business.

Potential recruits are being given the opportunity to gain an NVQ Level 2 qualification following a 12-18th month apprenticeship.

Samantha Pearce, Portmeirion, Senior HR Manager said: “The candidates were very enthusiastic and they had done research about the industry, which was great.

“It’s really nice to hear a lot of the young people saying their families support them working in the pottery industry because a few years back, it did have a poor reputation. Now the industry is bouncing back and it is very vibrant here in Stoke-on-Trent.

“We have got an ageing workforce so by recruiting these apprentices, we are hoping to bring the age profile down as well as raise the aspirations of young people in the area.”

Apprentices who complete the programme will be given the opportunity to enter a trainee scheme to gain a level 3 NVQ.

Teenager Matthew Watson was one of dozens of youngsters who attended the recruitment day.

The 16-year-old, of Bucknall, said: “My aunt Carol, who works for the company as a lithographer, told me about the event so I decided to come and see what apprenticeships were being offered.

“I found the factory tour really interesting and I have now applied to do a manufacturing apprenticeship at the company.”