THE HEIRLOOMS of the Lake District were scrutinised by the Antiques Roadshow's experts when the hit BBC show descended on the area.

Hundreds of people came to Holker Hall and Gardens to find out if their antiques had a greater value than just sentimental.

Dozens of well-known experts from the long-running BBC series were on hand to put a value on items as diverse as teddy bears and firemens's helmets.

It was the first time in 20 years that the show has visited the Furness area.

The Roadshow visited Barrow Leisure Centre in 1993 when it was fronted by the late Hugh Scully.

The show has been on the air for 39 years and regularly attracts six million viewers every episode.

For local people it was the chance of a lifetime to come along and experience everything the Roadshow has to offer.

Part of the attraction of the Roadshow is finding the extraordinary in unlikely places. A selection of skin-tight clothing from the heyday of glam rock, over a dozen historic fireman's helmets and a collection of Victorian and Edwardian dresses were all brought along for the roadshow's experts to cast their eyes over.

One of those experts, Mark Hill, who specialises in 20th century design, spoke about the excitement that he always feels when meeting people and their antiques.

He said: "Of course we would all like to discover something that we own is worth a small fortune, but it's about the story that the objects tell, it's not always about the value.

"Antiques are the best way of travelling in time."

The Roadshow was expected to attract more than 2,000 visitors during the course of the day.

Jillian Rouse, the head of visitor services at Holker Hall, said: "It's very exciting for us, it's something completely different."

See what Fiona had to say about the Roadshow coming to Holker Hall and Gardens

See what happened the last time the Roadshow came to the area here

http://www.nwemail.co.uk/When-Barrow-searched-its-attics-for-the-Antiques-Roadshow-4f44c60a-815e-4650-b837-78351c2392fd-ds