Stoke-on-Trent council has ordered the demolition of a historic pottery site to stop.

A demolition crew has been at J.H. Weatherby's Falcon Works, on Old Town Road, in Hanley for much of this month but some have raised concerns. 

Some historians have said a muffle kiln can no longer be seen on the demolition site. There are thought to be only three muffle kilns left in existence. 

Now the city council has confirmed it has opened an investigation into the situation after a pile of bricks could be seen where the kiln once stood.

Cllr Chris Robinson, cabinet member for housing, planning, improvement and governance, said: "Our building control and planning enforcement teams are investigating recent works carried out by the site owner at Falcon Works following a fire. 

"Parts of the remaining buildings were unstable and posed a risk to public safety.

"All site works have now stopped following instructions from our planning team, and investigations are continuing. 

"We are aware of concerns regarding the muffle kiln and this forms part of our ongoing investigation. 

"It would not be appropriate to comment further until that process is complete."

There are other kilns which can be seen from the roadside at the Falcon Works site and the demolition follows another fire at the grade II listed site on 1 September.

The land owner demolished much of the main building in February this year, with the council saying it was "monitoring the situation closely".

The building on Old Town Road had been used by J.H. Weatherby & Sons since 1892 until it closed in 2000, but it has since been vacant and the subject of anti-social behaviour in recent years.