Few setbacks could damage Stoke-on-Trent's self-confidence worse than the recent appointment of administrators at Waterford Wedgwood, owner of the Wedgwood ceramics business.

Wedgwood, which merged with Waterford of Ireland in 1986, was set up in the Staffordshire city 250 years ago. A statue of founder Josiah Wedgwood meets train passengers leaving Stoke-on-Trent railway station. They are arriving at the city that Wedgwood and a legion of lesser potters built.