POTTERIES, THE

region in the north of the geographic county of Staffordshire, England, the country's main producer of china and earthenware. It is centred on the city and unitary authority of Stoke-on-Trent and includes areas in the neighbouring borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme. Wedgwood and Minton are the two famous family names connected with the area's china. The industry developed using coal from the north Staffordshire coalfield and the local coarse clay.