A Stoke-on-Trent road which has been closed since April could finally reopen next month following six months of delays caused by a fire at a former pottery factory.

Now Westport Road in Burslem remains closed after an arson attack at the old Wade Ceramics site on April 27.

The road remains closed due to damage to the Grade II listed building caused complexities in making the structure safe. Now Miller Homes who own the site say a report has been submitted to the city council and work is expected to start in early September.

In May a spokesperson for Stoke-on-Trent City Council called for the situation to be resolved 'as quickly as possible'. However, since the fire a course of action for the work on the fire-hit building has been prepared.

A spokesperson for Miller Homes: "Following the fire at a building on Westport Road, we have been preparing a proposed course of action and a report outlining this has now been submitted to the local authority.

"We are working with our contractors and we anticipate works will commence in early September which, when completed, will allow the road to re-open. We would like to thank the local community for their patience while the road has been closed."

The site has remained vacant since 2010 when Wade Ceramics moved to a new headquarters in Festival Park. The building, which dates back to 1814 has attracted rough sleepers in recent years as the future of the site remains unclear.

A Stoke-on-Trent City Council spokesperson said: "We want to thank residents and motorists for their patience.

"This is a listed building, which has added to the complexities surrounding the work and the road closure.

"However, it is important that we now have a clear timetable and the priority is to make sure the work is done as quickly as possible and the road reopens. In the meantime, public safety is paramount."