THE rumble of a red 1979 Lancia marked the arrival of a special visitor to an antiques shop in Okehampton last week.

Popular antiques expert Philip Serrell visited Okehampton on Friday morning to look around St James Street Antiques, a small shop in the heart of town filled with hidden treasures and trinkets.

Philip was in town to film the popular BBC television show Antiques Road Trip. The programme sees two antiques experts travel the country in the distinctive Lancia in search of hidden gems.

The two experts on this episode, Phil Serrell and Tom Scott, battled it out to uncover the best antiques to sell at auction.

Philip said: 'I have passed through Okehampton before, but this is my first proper visit. It is a glorious part of the world, right on the foothills of the moor. We spent a fantastic day yesterday on the moor, it was beautiful.

'I've been through Devon before, on my very first Antiques Road Trip with Charles Hanson. The joys of this job are you get to see so many different parts of the world, but the sad part is you don't get to spend long enough anywhere.

'I'm looking for something today that will make me a quid. Or even better, a few quid. You never know what you will find wherever you go, so you can find a hidden gem anywhere.'

Jo Catling, owner of the shop, said: 'It was just a bit of fun to have them here, and a great pleasure to meet Phil and show him around the shop. We had Charles Hanson visit us last year and that time he spent £160 — this time Phil only spent a tenner! He found some good pieces though.

'He chose two pieces of brass, a brass mortar from a pestle and mortar set, that he thinks dates back to the 18th century, and a brass fire extinguisher.

'It was a fun morning, gives great exposure for the shop and was a pleasure to have them here.'

The programme's production team spent Thursday night in the White Hart Hotel.