TV crew films at town's new antique centre

Filming for BBC Antiques programme Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is took place at Whitchurch Antiques Centre this week – and traders snapped up a couple of items brought along by local expert Christina Trevanion, who also lives in the town.

The episode of the show will follow Mrs Trevanion and fellow expert David Harper as they compete to make as much money as possible for charity by uncovering antiques at market and selling them on.

Dealer Mollie Sample, 40, said she believed Whitchurch Antiques Centre, on Green End in Whitchurch, was selected because Mrs Trevanion has family connections with Dearnford Lake country estate, near Whitchurch.

"We only opened in November and I'm pretty sure she'll be doing her best to promote here," she said.

She said she was expecting her to be buying but instead the expert wanted to sell.

"The crew asked 'do you deal in antique textiles, and would you like to buy this blanket?'

"It's a huge super king-size knitted patchwork blanket from the early 20th century. It weighs about two stone, if you put it on your bed I think you wouldn't be able to get out again.

"I think I got a good deal - but I don't know what she paid for it."

Miss Sample and her partner Lee Jones, 40, have been trading in antique interior furniture for the last year, but before that were involved with salvaging from antique buildings.

It is not the couple's first experience of the cameras – for two years Mr Jones was a regular on ITV's Trash to Treasure, and the History channel's Seeking Salvage.

"With Lee I being on TV I was often in the background, but to be in front of the camera was quite daunting at first," Miss Sample said.

"But I think I was a natural - after the third take!" she said.

Jemima Roberts, 28, who trades in tartan and tweed products as the Tartan Fox, also bought some items off Mrs Trevanion.

She said: "I was buying some crystal chandelier droplets from Christina.

"They look handmade but I don't know exactly how old."