A potter is preparing to open her own studio in Macclesfield.

Chestergate Pottery will swing open its doors for the first time in September.

It is a dream come true for Rachel Berry, who has just finished a training course in Stoke, world renowned as the capital of ceramics.

Rachel said: "I'm just starting out, so it's a bit scary but I am also really excited!

"I think proud is probably the right word, let's do this!

"I really feel like Macclesfield is a good place for me to make this happen."

Rachel, 39, was born in the UK but spent most of her life growing up in Singapore.

She took her first pottery class in 2013 and has never looked back.

"It was one of those thing where, before I even tried it, I had decided that I'm going to enjoy this," she said.

She ended up teaching an evening class at Mud Rock Ceramics in Singapore before deciding it was time to 'take the leap' and do a full-time training course.

Rachel added: "I was very luck in that the studio I was at in Singapore was run by full-time potters, so I could see firsthand how it could be a viable way of making a living."

She returned to the UK and enrolled on a course at Clay College in Stoke, graduating earlier this month.

"Being in Stoke, the industry was right on our doorstep," Rachel said.

"As I was finishing my course and preparing for graduation, I got the keys to this space and was starting to set up.

"I've had so much help from my friends who I've met through pottery, as well as my parents and my partner, so it's been a real team effort!

"Being part of Chestergate is going to be great. If you come down here at the weekend it's absolutely buzzing."

Chestergate Pottery is located at 69A Chestergate, next to The Swan With Two Necks.

Starting Tuesday, September 1, Rachel will be running five-week throwing courses.

There will be two levels of course on offer, one for absolute beginners and another for those with some experience looking to build confidence.

To find out more, check out Chestergate Pottery on social media here.