Burslem-based Wade Ceramics has taken on a North Staffordshire designer to bolster the company's design team. Alison Palin, of Furlong Close, Upper Tean, will be responsible for the research, sketching and creation of new products for contract customers and in-house ranges alike. She will join a design team of four to help design and produce products for the ceramics firm, while also being responsible for photographing products, producing authenticity certificates and producing artwork for magazines.

The 23-year-old said: "I was very pleased to accept my job with Wade. It has given me the opportunity to stay in Stoke-on-Trent and build on my career within the design industry.

"Having been brought up in the Potteries, I have many relatives that used to work within the ceramics industry so it is nice to carry on with that tradition.

"I love creating new design ideas, and at the moment I'm working on various projects from kitchenware to giftware for Cadbury World."

Miss Palin graduated in furniture and product design at Nottingham Trent University.

She gained experience with whirlpool bath maker Jacuzzi UK and furniture firm Englender.