CONFUSION continues today over the future of Spode in North Staffordshire, after reports that the historic pottery could disappear.

Workers at Spode's sister firm Royal Worcester were reportedly told that their site in Worcester would be closed at the end of the month.

It is understood that employees in Worcester were also told Spode's Stoke premises and its distribution centre in Lymedale, Newcastle, would also be shut at the same time. But a spokesman for administrator PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), which was brought in to sell the troubled firms, said yesterday: "PricewaterhouseCoopers confirm that despite speculation, there is not a plan to close the Worcester site at the end of April.

"There are several positive interests for the Worcester site. Further comment will be made as and when a firm conclusion can be announced."

However, the PwC spokesman would not say whether the interest was in the site alone or in the company as a going concern.

Asked if there had been any interest in the North Staffordshire locations or in Spode as a business, or whether they would close at the end of the month, the spokesman said there would be no more updates until there was "something concrete to announce".