SINCE 1751, when Worcester Porcelain began, thousands of craftsmen and women have passed through its doors.

To celebrate its anniversary, hundreds of archive photographs and illustrations of those workers have been uncovered and restored to portray 250 years of employment at the factory.

Open until January 14, the factory exhibition will give visitors the chance to step back in time to see how the workforce changed over the centuries.

In years gone by, work at the factory often started at the age of 10 or 11, but after seven years' training, the employee would have a job for life. It was not uncommon for whole families to work within the many different departments and individual skills were passed down from one generation to the next.

Museum curator Wendy Cook said: "Over the years the factory and museum have amassed thousands of illustrations of the work force, both at work and play.

"Since the early development of photography in the 1850s the camera has been used to record the many characters that worked in the smoke filled kilns, bright painting rooms and splendid showrooms. The exhibition presents us with a rare chance to show many of these images."

Many of the names of those depicted in the exhibition have been lost over the years and the museum is inviting those who might recognise anyone to help identify them.

Admission is £3 for adults, £6.25 for family ticket and £2.25 concessions. It is open from 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday and 11am-5pm Sundays. For details call Sarah Chaytor on 01905 23221.