THE Mayor of Dudley called in at a Wordsley pottery business to hear more about how it has been supporting a mental health charity.

Councillor Anne Millard visited Saz's Ceramics, which has been based at the Red House Glass Cone since 2007.

The studio offers activities and products for people of all ages and abilities who might want to have a go at throwing on a potter’s wheel or painting pottery or hand building with clay, and more recently it has been taking activities into the community, running projects in schools and nurseries and also held a free pottery painting event to support Dudley CVS's kindness campaign.

During her visit, the Mayor had a go at pottery painting and met owner Sarah Cannings and other staff to find out about their work and decision to support the Black Country Mental Health charity.

Through the sale of hand-thrown and glazed pots, know as ‘pots of positivity’ and their mindfulness range, they are raising money for the charity (formerly Dudley Mind), which is one of the Mayor’s chosen causes this year.

Cllr Millward said: "Saz's Ceramics is one the cone’s well-established businesses. It was wonderful to meet with Sarah and the rest of the team to find out how they have worked hard to help their business succeed and get people involved in being creative and learn new skills.

"I was also pleased to learn that we have a shared passion for supporting Black Country Mental Health, it’s a charity close to my heart, and one I have chosen to support during my year as Mayor.

“I wish them every success in their efforts to raise vital funds for this worthwhile charity and thank them for letting me put my painting skills to the test."

Sarah Cannings, from Saz's Ceramics, said: "When we found out the Mayor’s chosen charity was Black Country Mental Health, we thought it would be great to invite her along to do some mindfulness pottery painting, to raise more awareness for this fantastic organisation.

"We’re really proud of what we do and welcome people of all abilities to the studio. We have people coming in with basic craft knowledge, people who have never done anything arty before and even groups such as local carers with adults with special needs.

"We are also proud to be a long-standing business at the cone, it’s a wonderful creative base for us to call home."