A government grant to retrain redundant pottery workers has helped more than 100 people find new jobs.

Staffordshire Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) applied for a £268,000 grant from the Rapid Response Fund last December after Royal Doulton announced 1,200 redundancies across the city.

Earlier this year use of the fund was extended to help workers made redundant at other potteries including Wedgwood, Biltons, Staffordshire Tableware and Wade Ceramics.

Sharon Spencer-Wright, of Staffordshire TEC, said more than 100 workers made redundant have now found new jobs in a range of industries as a direct result of training schemes set up with cash from the fund.

Dozens of other pottery workers have also found new employment following specific efforts by job centre staff to find them new work.

She said: ‘‘It shows that there are jobs out there in Stoke-on-Trent beyond the ceramic industry and it is all about finding the skills, training and help people need to get their confidence and a job back.''

Stoke-on-Trent South MP George Stevenson was among a city delegation which campaigned for Government help.

He added: ‘‘Employment in the industry remains a considerable concern but the Government did respond to our representations and made the resources available which have proved effective.''

Former Royal Doulton supervisor Phillip Czapski, 45, is one worker who has benefited.

He said the Rapid Response Fund training programme was invaluable in helping him gain a management position with car accessory retailer Motor World.

He said: ‘‘When you are made redundant it is a big blow and you lose all your confidence.

‘‘Attending the course gave me something to aim for and something to get up for in the morning."

‘‘To put it bluntly it gave me the skills and confidence I needed to get another job.''