A campaign has started to improve the image of Stoke-on-Trent after a survey claimed the city was the worst in the UK to live in.

Business and civic leaders have put forward ideas to improve the perception of Stoke including selling the area through international trade and even planting more flowers.

The action plan comes after a survey of government prosperity tables placed the Staffordshire city as the worst in the UK.

Civic leaders hotly dispute the survey and say their new proposals will help project the true image of the Potteries' capital.

Civic leaders hope to improve the city's image

A report by the City Partnership Forum in Stoke-on-Trent said the old "pits and pots" image was not good for business and put tourists off coming to the city.

"There has possibly been damage done by this survey and this is an attempt by local leaders to raise the profile and tell people what a great place Stoke-on-Trent is," said Terry James from the city council.

"The image of Stoke-on-Trent is that it's full of smoky factories which isn't the truth.

"It's a perception based on prejudice and a perception based in the past.

"We've got more green space than any other city in the country and the fastest development site in the country.

"We hope to project a better image and get people to talk-up the city."

Mark Morrisson, a member of the forum, said the ideas include making businesses look smarter and passing information to staff so they can tell others about the city.

"We've got businesses trading around the world and it's a matter of getting them to sell Stoke-on-Trent when selling their business," he said.