AN INTERNATIONAL attraction has opened its doors for the first time.

More than 100,000 visitors a year are expected at Wedgwood's £10 million museum.

The exhibits are displayed chronologically from 1730, the birth of Josiah Wedgwood, to the present day, and tell the story of the man, the company he founded and the people who produced his iconic pottery.

Antiques Roadshow presenter Hilary Kay officially opened the attraction yesterday in front of hundreds of visitors.

Among the items on show were the Portland Vase and the First Day Vase made by Josiah Wedgwood to commemorate the building of his Etruria factory.

Wedgwood Museum Trust chairman George Stonier said: "Hilary Kay has been a supporter of Wedgwood for a long time and we knew if she could make the time, she was the natural choice to open the museum.

"People will travel from all over the world to visit this museum and then stay in Stoke-on-Trent for a couple of days.

"I know Wedgwood enthusiasts and societies from every country have shown interest in the museum and many have made contributions to help fund it.

"They all want to come to see it and the local area will see a knock-on benefit from this.

"It is a wonderful collection which visitors will spend days enjoying and returning to time and time again.

"There is something for everyone, no matter what their interests are."

The museum is split into three sections, covering the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

The first rooms take visitors through the era of Wedgwood's cream-coloured earthenware.

Masterpieces by 18th century painters George Stubbs and Sir Joshua Reynolds have also been taken out of storage. Pride of place goes to a portrait of the Wedgwood family, painted by Stubbs in 1780 during a stay with the family at Etruria.

Hilary Kay said: "Everyone working in the antique industry knows about Josiah Wedgwood but I became passionate about him when I was involved in making a television programme about him. I learnt about what a great man he was, not only as a wonderful potter but an amazing scientist and inventor.

"I spent time at Barlaston and witnessed the passion and the skills of the people who work here.

"There is also a great loyalty and a high quality of training involved and the products coming out the other end were amazing.

"It was a real eye-opener. Because I am such a groupie about Wedgwood the biggest treat for me is seeing the early pieces which he made with his own hand. When you are close to things like the First Day's Vase you are literally six inches from the man himself."

Enterprise and business secretary Lord Peter Mandelson was expected to make an appearance at the launch after attending the opening of Sandon Business and Enterprise College in Meir in the morning, but he was unable to make it.

Wedgwood spokesman Andrew Stanistreet said: "He had an urgent Cabinet meeting and had been called away. We were very disappointed but we understand the pressures of his position. "

The museum's regular opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday. Admission is £6 for adults, £4.50 for children and £5 for concessions.