The remains of 18th century pioneering potters are to be exhumed from a private graveyard before homes are built on the site. Historians have welcomed the move to remove the remains of owners and managers of the Vanhallen pottery - known as the Manchester works - at the former Wade factory site in Greenhead Road, Burslem.

Wade Ceramics had informed the Home Office the remains in the private graveyard had been removed during earlier excavations, but historians believed otherwise.

Now the new owner of the site - PB Developments Limited - has agreed to exhume the remains, which are still marked by headstones.

PB Developments Limited is building homes on the site of the factory and the former Shaftesbury School, which was known as the Ragged School.

However, unless relatives of the potters come forward, the remains will be moved to Burslem cemetery.

The developers have promised all costs for removal and reburial will be met, but relatives must apply to the Secretary of State if they want to make their own provisions.

The exhumation, expected to take place on November 5, will be screened from the public.

Historian Fred Hughes, who fought for the graveyard to be explored and protected, said: "I am absolutely delighted that PB Developments have recognised the importance of these graves.

"The confirmation of their existence, and discovering the identities of those buried, makes all my efforts feel justified.

"It is a very good ending to the whole affair."

A PB Developments Limited spokesman said: "For the purpose of the erection of residential properties, it is necessary to remove certain human remains and tombstones.

"The removal of the remains shall be effected with due care and attention to decency."

Details of the graves will be displayed at 10 Church View, Knutsford, Cheshire, until October 17.