An artist and model maker from Stoke-on-Trent has set out to create 100 miniature bottle kilns in celebration of the city's centenary year.

Longton-born Chris Twigg first unveiled the 21cm kilns on social media earlier this year and says he was "blown away" by the interest they generated.

Each model is unique and Chris works in photorealistic detail by painting every brick so they look and feel like a small version of the real thing. Each kiln also has a hollow back and they are designed to be hung on walls.

Chris said: Chris said: "I had an idea to present the bottle kiln in context of not only celebrating 100 years of our heritage but also in getting us thinking about the next 100 years – where are we headed and how can our industriousness and our creativity as Stoke people shape our future.

"I also thought, in a more lighthearted way, that it would be fun and fabulous for the city to get some new bottle kilns back on its skyline, even if only in miniature."

Each kiln is created by Chris to order and he is now busy working to prepare orders in time for Christmas gifting.

Both Chris's parents worked in the pottery industry and their craft has inspired the way he works by using traditional methods of casting and hand-painting to bring the creations to life.

Chris added: "My mum was a ceramic figurine painter and my dad was a figurine maker so I feel it's in my DNA.

"I am making them in some of those same old ways, and my favourite part is bringing them alive with a simple paint brush - painting all of the tiny bricks, and all of the weathering effects to bring out the character of old bottle kilns, so they look very old and realistic."

This 100 miniature bottle kilns are said to be selling fast but some preorders are still being taken on Chris's website.