Almost 30,000 people, including actresses Jane Horrocks and Amanda Holden and actor Peter Davison have decorated their own pottery at the Pottery Café in Richmond over the last five years.

Louise Collins and husband Aiden, who run the Pottery Café at 332 Richmond Road, East Twickenham, held a fifth birthday party last Thursday and to mark the occasion gave customers 20 per cent off pottery for them to paint themselves.

Louise said: "Local stars like Jane Horrocks enjoy coming her to paint their own pottery. We've also had singer-actress Vanessa Paradis, the wife of Johnny Depp with their son Jack, writer Lynda La Plante, Amanda Holden, Peter Davison and Julie Peasgood.

"Since we opened in May 2002, thousands of mums and babies, families, hen party groups and children's birthday parties have all enjoyed the creative experience of painting pottery together, much of which is exclusively supplied by Emma Bridgewater.

"The Café manager Faye Bridgwater, no relation to potter and designer Emma, and the rest of our staff have decorated around 15,000 plates with baby's first footprints!"

It's very much a family affair and Louise and Aiden, who have three boys of their own, cater for youngsters of all ages, breastfeeding mums and NCT groups. They provide baby changing facilities, high chairs and, naturally, good coffee and cookies.

In the last 12 months the Pottery Café has opened The Little Toy Shop' in both their Richmond and Fulham studios, selling a wide range of traditional, fair trade, wooden and all time favourite toys.

Louise, 36, from Hampton, says: "It's a wonderful experience for the whole family."

* To mark their half term 'Do It For Dad' promotion from May 28 to June 1 the Pottery Café will be providing pint-sized mugs for only £10. For further details telephone 020 8744 3000.