AS the price of older pieces of Royal Doulton, Wedgwood, Royal Worcester and other top quality manufacturers continues to rise, new collectors are constantly looking for other manufacturers on which to focus their attention.

In previous columns we have pointed out the increasing collectability of wares by companies such as Shelley and Aynsley. And it is now apparent that collectors are also re-appraising the products made by another Staffordshire company, Paragon.

The firm was founded in 1919, and, during the period between the first and second world wars, it built up an impressive reputation for good quality and beautifully-styled domestic china, most notably tea and coffee sets and dessert ware.

It also saw a market for children's china, some of it based on nursery rhymes, and even produced a series featuring Charlie Chaplin, a popular film hero of the time.

But the big breakthrough came in 1926, when the Duchess of York commissioned some special nursery china for the baby Princess Elizabeth, and, four years later, commissioned other pieces to commemorate the birth of Princess Margaret. Soon after the firm received a Royal Warrant.

In the 30s, the firm produced a wide range of goods, including some tea ware featuring Mickey Mouse, and it prospered throughout the 1940s and 50s, producing everything from ash trays and egg cups to breakfast sets and animal figures. However, despite its success, it was taken over in 1960 by another company, and eventually, in 1968 became part of the Royal Doulton group.

What collectors like about Paragon wares is its delicate innovative designs, and the fact that it really is top quality. Prices of its tea wares are still affordable, with a trio (cup, saucer and plate) perhaps fetching £20 to £30, and most of its pieces are still below £40 in price, though exceptional pieces such as the Chaplin or Mickey Mouse series, would command more just because these subjects are in greater demand.

The firm also made a number of commemorative items related to royal events, one of the most notable being a royal wedding loving cup made in 1981 for the marriage of Charles and Diana. Of superb quality with golden lions forming handles on either side, it's currently fetching around £250.

However, there are lots of examples of Paragon china around the antiques fairs and shops at very accessible prices. And the Paragon brand name is one that has great appeal to the novice collector on a limited budget.