POTTERS, painters, brewers and blacksmiths are hoping a crafts-only market can bring a town centre back to life.

A team of around 18 craftsmen on 14 stalls staged the first Burslem Bazaar yesterday.

Now organisers hope it can become a regular sight outside Ceramica.

Stalls included original artwork, locally-brewed ales, hand-thrown pottery, Stoke-on-Trent-branded bags, and Christmas cards designed by local schoolchildren.

Amanda Bromley, aged 42, of Burslem, helped organise the market after building up contacts with craftsmen through her work with Burslem Arts Festival, which she launched in 2004.

She said: "We're hoping we can start bringing people back to Burslem and help the area at the same time.

"Burslem's Friday market is really withering away, but we're offering speciality things that aren't available elsewhere.

"We feel this first market has been a success, everybody has made sales and we've had people passing through on their dinner hours who have bought things.We're hoping to hear from more traders who can help us expand."

Traders hope their homemade novelties can help Burslem thrive.

Potter Alex Shimwell, aged 29, said: "There are lots of things happening in Burslem. We can be like Notting Hill where the artists came in and it just went from there.

"It's a great place with a lot of galleries and some beautiful buildings. This is how Burslem can grow."

Aimee Durber, aged 19, of Stafford, sold pottery cupcakes crafted by her friend, local artist Denise O'Sullivan.

She said: "People passing by have taken a real interest because they're colourful and hand-crafted. And it's a nice local product too."

Four Year 6 children and a supervisor from John Baskeyfield Primary School ran a stall selling handmade Christmas cards to raise cash for a school trip.

Chloe Redfern, aged 10, said: "We've all got together in groups to make the cards, we've used glitter and cards and even recycled old cards by cutting out old bits."

The market is a second boost for traditional trading in Burslem after The Sentinel revealed a planning application was being lodged to bring back Port Vale's weekly market.

Other stalls included a giftware sale from Burslem's Titanic Brewery and a blacksmith selling locally-forged ornaments.

Any traders interested in taking part in future markets can call Amanda at Barewall Gallery on 0844 745 2818.