The Josiah Wedgwood art installation was created by sculptor Vincent Woropay for the National Garden Festival in 1986 and later moved to Stoke-on-Trent’s Festival Park area in 2009.

Stoke-on-Trent Council admitted it made a “grave mistake” when contractors accidentally demolished the 10ft sculpture while attempting to widen a road near the city centre.

A spokesman called the incident a “significant operational error”.

“We apologise unreservedly for that. We have taken this matter up directly with contractors to understand what has gone wrong,” he added.

The bricks and the base of the sculpture will now be sensitively removed from the park, the council said.

Abi Brown, the council leader, said: “Culture is at the fabric of our city and plays a hugely significant role in the story of Stoke-on-Trent.

“I have instructed the director of the service to personally oversee immediate work to protect the sculpture and investigate how this has happened.”

The council spokesman said: “Work is beginning this week to widen the road, to open up access to Festival Park, following the major infrastructure works and new link road at the Ceramic Valley Enterprise Zone.

“It’s an exciting project that will bring big benefits to employment opportunities and for businesses to grow in the city.”

Josiah Wedgwood was born in what is now Stoke-on-Trent in 1730 and was known for his scientific approach to pottery making.