Collectibles specialist Wade Ceramics has landed a contract to make 'gurgling cod' water jugs for a Devon company. The Burslem business has been chosen by Dartmouth Pottery to produce the ceramic fish.

A spokesman for Westport Road-based Wade confirmed it had jugs because of its ability to produce specialist wares.

She said: "It is an open-ended contract, so it is difficult to say what it is worth overall.

"However, over the past six months the contract has been worth £70,000 in orders."

Gurgling cod jugs are particularly popular in America and France, with significant orders for one exclusive design from the U.S. firm Shreve, Crump and Low.

Wade added regular orders for the fish, which are priced from £5.50, come from British royal palaces.

This follows a tradition dating from the late 1950's, when a customised pair of gurgling jugs were presented to Queen Elizabeth II.

Since then they have become sought after by ceramics collectors worldwide.

The jugs get their name because when they are filled with liquid, air is trapped in the fish's tail. When the liquid is poured out, the air is gradually released and produces a gurgling sound.