COLLECTORS of Moorcroft pottery gathered at a stately home at the weekend.

BBC Antiques Roadshow expert Eric Knowles was among the guests at Castle Howard, in North Yorkshire, for a three-day exhibition of highly sought-after and collectable examples, including two limited edition pieces inspired by the stately home.

Fanfare is a large jug that features peacock feathers, while Lady Cecilia is a vase decorated with roses, mirroring those found in the castle gardens.

Mr Knowles, who gave an address to more than 1,000 members of the Moorcroft Collectors' Club, said: "It is rather fitting to have Moorcroft exhibited in this stunning setting.

"Castle Howard itself has a very impressive collection of ceramics. Every time I come back, I find a piece I have not seen before.

"If you are a collector and you are into pots, you should be coming to Castle Howard at least once a month."