The man in charge of Stoke-on-Trent's troubled Ceramica project says opening targets will be realistic.

The �3m exhibition, which celebrates the history of the pottery industry, was due to open at the beginning of 2002 but was held back because of cash problems.

It is now due to open in April.

General manager, Ian Howe, is hoping to get 20,000 visitors a year to the exhibition.

'More realism'

He told BBC Radio Stoke: "We have a business plan based on that figure and I think it is a target we should be able to achieve.

"If we can achieve that or get above that, we will be very pleased."

He said people in the leisure industry as a whole now had more knowledge of realistic targets.

"There have been plenty of well-publicised problems with Millennium attractions with targets that became unrealistic.

"There is a lot more realism now and we are also building on a more achievable basis."

The main part of the exhibition, due to be held at Burslem Town Hall, will include a magic carpet ride showing the history of the area and rides on narrow boats.

Visitors will also be able to take part in an archaeological dig showing the origins of Josiah Wedgwood's first pottery works which were found on the site.