WORCESTER'S museum dedicated to Royal Worcester, one of the oldest and most prestigious of England's porcelain makers, put on a range of activities as part of the Love Worcester Heritage Festival.

Visitors to the Museum of Royal Worcester, in Severn Street, enjoyed the spying and secrecy event, which offered the opportunity to learn about industrial espionage in the 18th century, the secret recipe for making porcelain and the lengths factory owners went to ensure no others knew of their invention.

Ceramics expert Henry Sandon MBE, the museum patron who is well-known for his appearances on the Antiques Roadshow, also held an identification day where he valued ceramic pieces brought in by the public.

He was joined by master gilder Ken Russell, who specialises in creating intricate jewelled pieces of work and flower-maker Avril Pulley, whose demonstrations proved popular with visitors.

Caroline Engevi, from the museum, said: "We are also part of the Love Worcester Family competition - where children can find a mystery letter hidden at each of the heritage sites to crack the secret code.

"It is a great way of making people visit all the heritage sites Worcester has to offer."

The spying and secrecy event is set to continue throughout this week until Friday, February 19, between 10am and 4pm.

For more details visit museumofroyalworcester.org.

For more on the heritage festival see visitworcestershire.org/loveworcester.