POTTERY workers swapped kilns for crafts to help raise thousands of pounds for sick children.

A raft of DIY boats took to the Caldon Canal for the first Hanley Regatta, with all proceeds going to the Donna Louise Children's Hospice Trust.

The event was put together by staff at Emma Bridgewater and an area by the firm's factory in Hanley was taken over by stalls.

It is estimated the firm – which is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and employs 120 people at its Lichfield Street base – helped raise about £5,000 for the Trentham Lakes hospice.

Managing director Stephen Hyde said: "The idea for this event came about when I heard someone talking about the Henley Regatta and thought it would be good if Hanley could have one.

"I just thought it sounded a really good idea.

"We have the Caldon Canal right next to us, so it just seemed ideal.

"Donna Louise is our charity this year and it is somewhere that has touched the lives of so many people.

"We'll certainly do this again next year."

One of the regatta contests saw teams from the Ceramic Industry Federation (CIF), Royal Stafford and Emma Bridgewater take rafts onto the canal to compete for the Caldon Challenge Trophy.

It was CIF which was victorious in the end, with its team, dressed as pirates, crossing the finishing line first.

CIF chief executive Sue Evans said: "It was a great day and all for such a good cause.

"Something like this also gets children down to a pottery factory which they probably wouldn't usually do."

The Up 'Anley Duck Races also saw dozens of plastic ducks unleashed on the canal.

Participants were rewarded with Hanley Regatta mugs, produced by the Emma Bridgewater factory.

Emma Bridgewater staff were also out in force, manning the fund-raising stalls.

Sue Oakes, aged 49, of Sandyford, who normally works as a packer but was selling cakes on Saturday, said: "It was a fantastic day.

"It will be nice to do something like it again."

Andy Bradbury, aged 52, of Longton, who works as a placer, said: "Donna Louise is a fantastic cause to raise money for and there was a really good atmosphere all day."

Melanie Mills, head of fund-raising at the Donna Louise Children's Hospice Trust, said: "We are very proud to be associated with Emma Bridgewater.

"While it is a nationally-known firm, it is based in this area and employs local people.

"It was a fantastic day and it was great to see staff from the company all getting involved in manning the stalls.

"We are very grateful for its support."