Antiques expert Rupert Maas believes he was “let off” by Shropshire women after he suggested ladies of the county had fat ankles.

The first in a series of Priceless Antiques Roadshow programmes was aired on BBC 2 last night.

The programme showed Maas travelling to the county after being invited to explain himself by Sue Johnson, secretary of the Shropshire Women’s Institute, following comments he had made on TV about a picture of a woman with thick ankles.

Presenter Fiona Bruce said the feature had come about after Maas managed to “outrage the women of Shropshire” by describing the thick-set ankles of the model in the painting as “Shropshire ankles”.

She said: “I like to think I know a news story when I see it but I didn’t see this one coming.”

The programme showed news clippings and TV clips of the outrage in Shropshire before coming to Maas on a train on his way to the county.

As he travelled to the Frankwell Little Boro’ branch meeting in Shrewsbury to give a lecture on the female form in art he said he felt as if “today is the appointed hour of my penance”.

But the reality turned out to be far more pleasant.

Following the meeting, attended by dozens of Shropshire ladies – all showing their ankles – Maas joined them for tea and cake.

“I have had what turned out to be a completely lovely evening,” he said.

“I feel they have let me off, they have forgiven me, and I have tasted the best lemon cake in Christendom.”