£1m revamp for china clay museum

A new £1m tourist attraction will open in St Austell on Wednesday after extensive refurbishment.

The Wheal Martyn China Clay Museum near St Austell is being renamed the China Clay Country Park.

It exhibits china clay extraction history in Cornwall since its discovery by William Cookworthy in 1746.

As part of the celebrations there will also be an exhibition of ceramics from around the world, including examples from the South West.

Each of the artists were sent china clay from china clay firm Imerys to make their exhibits. The money for the work came from the Heritage Lottery Fund, the Objective One programme and local authorities.

The Duchess of Gloucester will tour the new visitor centre at the park before unveiling a plaque to officially open the attraction.