THE city's Royal Porcelain Works has been officially reopened by illustrious Worcester Porcelain expert Henry Sandon following a multi-million pound revamp.

The official opening celebrates the completion of 18 months of work, transforming the disused buildings into a new 'cultural venue' for arts and entertainment.

The original showroom has become the Henry Sandon Hall, run by Worcester Live, which seats up to 140 people and can be used as a theatre, exhibition hall, concert hall or be used to host pop-up auctions or family events.

Antiques Roadshow presenter Henry Sandon MBE and Worcester Mayor Jabbar Riaz cut the ribbon officially opening the venue on Saturday, as crowds cheered in celebration.

Mr Sandon said: "It's incredible. This building is so personal to me. The craftsmanship and brick work is great to see. It's absolutely marvellous."

He added that it was "incredible" to see so many former factory workers, including a 102 year old woman, attend the opening.

Speaking to crowds gathered outside the building, Alice Brunt, marketing and development manager, said: "I am delighted to see so many of you come to support the rebirth of the Royal Porcelain Works. It is a fantastic new chapter for a former industrial site of the city, which is such an iconic part of our identity."

To watch the ribbon cutting and a short speech see below:

Worcester Mayor Jabbar Riaz said: "This facility is absolutely fantastic- an arts venue when arts and crafts funding is going down nationally, for Worcester to invest in that, it is great."

The Samuel Driver White Suite incorporates a studio for artists and craftspeople to showcase their work and run workshops, and a boardroom available for private hire.

It also has a gin distillery run by Nick Weatherall, whose was first involved with the project as a builder.

The works has been enabled by the Bransford Trust, which aims to encourage greater participation in the arts, increase tourism and ensure a vibrant future for the historic location.

At the opening, visitors enjoyed live entertainment from the Rock Choir, Voices Unlimited, samba band Someone at the Door and The Butterfly Puppet Theatre.