VISITORS at Castle Howard will be going "potty" this weekend.

Hundreds of ceramics fans from across the world will visit the stately home during a three-day exhibition of highly-sought-after and collectable Moorcroft pottery and enamels.

Senior Moorcroft designer Rachel Bishop will unveil two limited edition pieces inspired by Castle Howard itself. Fanfare is a ewer and features vibrant peacock feathers; the second is Lady Cecilia, a vase decorated with roses inspired by Castle Howard's rose gardens.

BBC Antiques Road Show ceramics expert Eric Knowles was at Castle Howard to speak to more than 1,200 members of the Moorcroft Collectors Club.

"It's rather fitting to have Moorcroft being exhibited in this stunning setting," said Mr Knowles, who has been with the programme for 22 years.

"Castle Howard itself has a very impressive collection of ceramics.

"Every time I come back I find a piece that I've not seen before. If you're a collector and you're into pots, you should be coming to Castle Howard at least once a month.

"I'm here just to be involved in the best of British. Nobody makes pots like Moorcroft anywhere in the world. Being with all these beautiful pots I feel like Charlie in Willy Wonka's chocolate factory."

Mr Knowles said he was a big fan of contemporary thrown-ceramic artist Philip Chan, who works from Chan Abbott Studios in the Stable Courtyard at Castle Howard.

Updated: 08:52 Saturday, September 27, 2003