A rescue package for an exhibition celebrating the history of the pottery industry is on the verge of approval.

The project, entitled Ceramica, was to have been opened at Burslem town hall in Staffordshire, but stalled because of cash problems.

Despite more than �1.5m from the lottery and money from Stoke-on-Trent city council, the project remains unfinished.

Councillors also fear that if the Ceramica project is not completed, they will have to spend more money taking Burslem town hall back into local authority control.

Kick start economy

Members of the authority now have to decide whether to spend a further �130,000 to complete Ceramica.

If the project fails, councillors will be left with a �1,000-a-week bill to maintain the historic landmark.

Councillor Tony Pattie said: "If this doesn't go ahead we are going to have to take control of the building anyway which is going to cost the taxpayer.

"Spending �130,000 isn't just a contribution to Ceramica, it's also an investment in Burslem and hopefully that will kick start regeneration locally as well."

Burslem historian Fred Hughes told BBC Radio Stoke: "I think it's going to be a nice and tasteful building.

"But if the �130,000 is not forthcoming, then they're going to have to look at taking the town hall back.

"That in itself is going to mean huge problems for the community in Burslem but I'm optimistic the money will be found."