Wedgwood: Who can save us? (AUDIO)

THREE potential buyers are eyeing up parts of collapsed ceramic giant Waterford Wedgwood as workers fear for their futures.

Administrator Deloitte is today starting work to save up to 1,000 North Staffordshire jobs at the debt-ridden firm by finding investment.

Community leaders hope investment can be found so 250 years of Wedgwood manufacturing can continue. It is understood the three unidentified investors are interested in the majority of its assets.

More than 300 employees gathered at the Barlaston factory yesterday for announcements by administrators, and said they were told it is business as usual for the next four weeks.

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Meanwhile, tears were shed among collectors at the firm's factory shop and a member of the Wedgwood family said the company will only succeed if manufacturing remains in Stoke-on-Trent.

Waterford Wedgwood called in administrators yesterday after six years of loss-making in which the group has racked up debts of almost £400 million.

Stoke-on-Trent's MPs have vowed to fight for the company, as they believe its demise would be devastating to the pottery industry and would signal the end of a key part of Potteries heritage.

Alison Wedgwood, whose husband Tom is a direct descendent of founder Josiah Wedgwood, believes a buyer could make a success out of Josiah's legacy if they followed in his footsteps – producing quality ceramics in Barlaston.

Mrs Wedgwood, aged 38, of Barlaston Road, Cocknage, said: "If any new buyers concentrate on producing prestige Wedgwood products in Staffordshire and get their marketing right they will succeed.

"If they move all production to Indonesia their biggest markets will collapse, of this I am sure."

One worker said: "They told us we've got a month guaranteed but they can only promise our jobs for those four weeks of production, after that who knows?

Wedgwood collector Margaret Kilford, of Stafford, said: "It's part of Staffordshire. It's a very sad day."

Bryan Carnes, chief executive of the North Staffordshire Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said: "It's very worrying for those people who work at Wedgwood and for those involved in the supply chain and it will also have a deep psychological effect on the Potteries."