By: James Breeze

Despite the wobble in the collectables market of late, one company is pressing ahead and expanding. Wade are perhaps most famous for their NatWest pigs, whimsies and decanters.

They started in 1810 and are still based in the Potteries.

Despite all the doom and gloom in the news, Wade experienced 10 per cent growth in 2007-2008 and have a new factory being built at a cost of £7million. According to the MD, they will be the most modern facilities for ceramics in the world. Wade's decanters are still the core business: they are the world's leading manufacturer of ceramic decanters (Bells, Chivers etc) with 2.5million made each year.

How much? Wade collectables have often proven to be good investments, especially since the whimsies arrived in the early 1950s.

Over the past few years, they have revived the NatWest Piggies with a stunning range of gold pigs for lucky NatWest competition winners. This Christmas they are producing 2,000 hand-cast Christmas tree decorations called Angel Love to support the Donna Louise Children's Hospice. Anybody who makes a donation of £10 or more to the hospice will receive one of these limited-edition treasures. The money raised is supporting an important cause.

Readers can find out more at www.donnalouisetrust.org.

There is a new book out which details the history of Wade whimsies in great depth. The World of Wade Whimsies is by Ian Warner and Mike Posgay, published by Schiffer. The Wade Collectors Club organise all sorts of meets and events. If you would like to find out more, go to the collectors club's website - www.wadecollectorsclub.co.uk.