'Historic' busts rescued from heritage building

Two busts rescued during work to preserve a heritage building in Stoke-on-Trent have been put on display at an art gallery.

The terracotta sculptures were recovered as work was being carried out at the Grade II-listed Wedgwood Institute in Burslem.

They are believed to depict two prominent 19th Century figures from the town – William Woodall, an MP from 1880 to 1885, and James Maddock, a pottery manufacturer who was mayor of Burslem from 1879 to 1881.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council has now put the busts on display at Barewall Art Gallery, where they can be viewed Tuesdays to Saturdays.

Amanda Bromley, owner of the gallery, said she was honoured to display the "important historic busts".

"They represent part of Burslem's rich heritage and it is wonderful that people can now see them again after many years out of public view," she added.

The council said its ambition was to eventually put them back on display at the Wedgwood Institute once the site had been regenerated.

The authority's leader Jane Ashworth said they represented people who "helped to shape Burslem's identity".

"They are tangible links to our history and creativity," she added. "By retrieving and preserving them during safeguarding work, we have protected an important part of our heritage."

Work to preserve the Wedgwood Institute began in January and was expected to take six weeks to complete.

The Queen Street building was included on Historic England's Heritage At Risk Register, in which its condition was described as poor.

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