BEATLEMANIA is gripping staff at one of the Potteries’ best known small ceramic firms after the company secured a deal to supply the Fab Four’s official museum.

Art deco company Lorna Bailey Artware is launching a range of memorabilia to sell at the Beatles Story in Liverpool.

The deal, which is worth hundreds of thousands of pounds and could create more jobs, came after the company’s sole designer Lorna Bailey was approached by John Lennon’s sister, Julia Baird.

Lionel Bailey, production director of the company, which currently employs 20 people at its factory in Wedgwood Street, Burslem, said: “This is really big for us and the pottery industry. It secures jobs and if it really takes off it will mean more jobs. It will be a huge addition to our turnover. We’re looking at minimum orders of £200,000 but we think it will be at least double that. This enables us to reach a huge audience. The museum has 41,000 people on its database. To have a Beatles collection in the museum of their home city is fantastic.”

The product range, which will include figurines of John Lennon and Paul McCartney in their Beatles and Sergeant Pepper suits, toby jugs, guitar shaped fridge magnets and a yellow submarine teapot, will go on sale later this month.

One of the products features a Polaroid photo taken by John Lennon’s sister outside their Aunt Mimi’s house, where he lived following the death of his mother. Some of the items will be limited edition.

Mr Bailey, said: “We have been able to secure this deal through our friendship with John Lennon’s sister Julia. She has really opened doors for us. Lorna first met Julia three or four years ago at a charity event in Newcastle which was organised by a Beatles fanatic. They got talking and Julia really liked Lorna’s designs. She came to a few meetings for the collectors’ club and we have been working on the idea for this Beatles range for more than a year.”

Lorna Bailey Artware, which was set up 11 years ago and now boasts 5,000 members in its collectors’ club, is due to release its financial results in the next few weeks. Last year the company reported a pre-tax profit of £90,000 and a £480,000 turnover, after making a loss in the previous year.