INTERNATIONAL artists have arrived in the home of pottery industry to create a piece of public art for Stoke-on-Trent.

Workshops are taking place at the Wedgwood Institute in Burslem this week, when children and crafts people will help create a wall of decorated tiles.

Pupils from Forsbrook Primary, Brownhills High and Sir Thomas Boughey High schools are among those coming up with designs for the tiles with Inscrire, a group of artists from Belgium and France.

When completed the art will be displayed in a open place.

The final location is still being decided and the public have been asked to nominate their preferred spot.

The artwork is designed around the theme of the Charter of the European Union Fundamental Rights, which sets out a range of civil, political, economic and social rights of European citizens and people living in the EU.

The rights are divided into six sections: dignity; freedom; equality; solidarity; citizens' rights; and justice.

Attic, a self-help art group for adults, is also taking part.

Jean Byatt, co-ordinator, aged 60, from Longton said: "There should be more public art project like this, where the community is involved.

"Ceramic work is important to this area, but we do not usually get opportunities like this.

"One of the highlights for me has been working with the young people. It's been interesting to learn about the charter with them and it is something we can all take an interest in."

Inscrire works with communities and local governments to build ceramic walls and the aim is to create them in every country in Europe.

Francoise Schein, Inscrire founder and director, said: "I invented this method of working with communities to make them more conscious of the charter. They will come away from the workshop knowing it exists. They may not know every detail of it, but it is about disseminating information."

The workshops will carry on all week as part of The British Ceramics Biennial, an festival celebrating contemporary ceramics which runs from October 3 until December 13.

Arts Council England gave £90,000 to fund new ceramic businesses in the city and bring international artists to the biennial. The ceramic wall is one of the projects funded from this.

Councillor Hazel Lyth, Stoke-on-Trent City Council cabinet member for economic development and culture, said: "This project will be an inspiration to the residents and children who take part and is a unique opportunity to get involved in a high-profile project."

Suggestions for the location of the ceramic wall can be e-mailed to info@britishceramicsbiennial.co.uk