A historic Stoke-on-Trent ceramics manufacturer has received a major investment to help protect the future of the 138-year-old company.

Duchess China is set to benefit from a "six-figure investment" from Open to Ideas, an investment business set up to back creative British-based businesses.

The Longton-based pottery company has been manufacturing Fine Bone China products in the city since 1888.

Open to Ideas CEO, Rob Ward, told Nub News: "We sat down with them a few months ago, and bought into the vision, the business, the history.

"We met the people in the factory, saw the passion and the skills and we thought this is brilliant, we would love to be part of this."

Open to Ideas described working with a 138-year-old brand as "really special and exciting".

Rob added: "With Andy and Jason, we had a shared vision and got on from the very first meeting.

"So that opportunity was clearly there for us to get involved in and it's very exciting for us."

The investment company – which aims to use their skills and experience to support British businesses – hopes that the investment will help secure the future of the historic ceramics manufacturer at a difficult time for the pottery industry.

Duchess China 1888 directors Jason Simms and Andy Tooth will continue to lead the firm.

Rob said: "We will put the company on a sound financial footing - which we've done - invest in some machinery - which we need to do - and look at how we can expand using some of our skills."

He added that Open to Ideas hopes the investment will allow the company to focus on growth "rather than just staying alive".

"It has been a tough ride, not just for Duchess, but for a lot of the potteries," Rob said.

He added: "The world isn't an easy place to operate, but we're hoping that what we have done is put a new chapter into the book, looking forward rather than back."

The leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Councillor Jane Ashworth, welcomed the news of the investment.

Cllr Ashworth said: "It's a vote of confidence in manufacturing in our city and backs the future of a company that has made fine bone china here for more than 130 years.

"The people who work there have skills that take years to develop and it's encouraging to see an investor recognise their value and make a long-term commitment to production here, with plans to reach more customers in the UK and overseas."

Dr Allison Gardner, MP for Stoke-on-Trent South also celebrated the news.

The MP said: "I'm absolutely delighted to see this investment in Duchess China. For generations, skilled people in Longton have been producing fine bone china that is valued around the world.

"This investment is about securing that heritage for the future: protecting skilled jobs, developing talent and giving a cherished Stoke-on-Trent business the opportunity to grow internationally.

"Duchess is a living example of what Stoke-on-Trent can produce and the expertise we have here.

"I want to congratulate the whole Duchess team. I'm proud to have them in my constituency and excited to see what the future holds."