Sharpe's Pottery Heritage and Arts Trust in Swadlincote has been awarded £127,800 as part of the Government's £100 million heritage fund to protect cultural sites.

South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler made the award known on her social media account today (Monday).

She said: "Supporting sites like this will help encourage tourism and support other local businesses as they undergo renovation and reopen."

The Kiln at the West Street venue is one of the oldest remaining bottle kilns in the UK, and was the original kiln built by Thomas Sharpe in the 1820s.

Sharpe's website says: "Discover the once prolific pottery industry of South Derbyshire from bricks and toilets to elaborate art pottery at Sharpe's Pottery Museum.

"With our iconic kiln hovel at the centre, our museum has had some exciting new additions in recent years and is now home to a newly built Children's Outside Playzone with accompanying sensory garden, Heritage Lottery Funded 'A Toilet Story' Exhibition and 'The National Forest Gallery'.

"The Museum also houses Café Espresso, Swadlincote Tourist Information Centre and a Gift Shop selling a range of locally sourced items perfect for that unique gift."