VOICEOVER (VO): It's the nation's favorite antiques experts... Alright viewers?

VO: ..with £200 each, a classic car, and a goal - to scour Britain for antiques.

I'm on fire - yes!

Sold - going, going, gone.

VO: The aim - to make the biggest profit at auction.

But it's no mean feat.

50p!

VO: There'll be worthy winners and valiant losers.

Tricep dips!

VO: So, will it be the high road to glory or the slow road to disaster?

Ooh!

Oh!

Ah!

Should be a good one.

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip.

Yeah!

This week's venture through antiquity is turning into a clash of the titans, as our two auctioneers go head-to-head.

PAUL (PL): Here we go.

THOMAS (TP): Yes, this is the start of a new leg.

VO: Halfway through their trip and Thomas Plant is trailing in second place, but he's keeping his eye peeled for a bargain, his nose to the grindstone and isn't giving up the fight.

I'll be back.

Where are you hiding?

VO: But the current leader of this pack is Paul Laidlaw.

Ah!

VO: With a passion for militaria, he's bringing all he knows to this battle, and it's getting emotional.

In love.

TP: So how much have you got now, Rockefeller?

PL: Big bucks.

Just over...

I think a pound over 500 squid.

TP: Get in there!

PL: You're back in black though.

Yes, yes, yes, I've moved back up.

PL: Trending the right way.

TP: Trending the right way, a small blip last time, but I think I've done quite well to sort of add on an extra 40 quid.

VO: He has indeed.

Thomas started with £200 and after two trips to auction he's made a small profit, giving him £227.74 to spend today.

Also beginning with £200, rival Paul has pulled ahead.

With the help of a Susie Cooper coffee set he now has an impressive £501.64.

TP: Do you know, I could find a Susie Cooper tea set like you, I could find my, my... ..Nevada it is, my piece de resistance this leg, like you did.

PL: I didnae peak.

I didnae peak there, big man.

VO: These two confident warriors started this antique voyage in the Lancashire town of Morecambe, and clocking up around 600 miles they'll end the week in the county town of Bedford.

Today their mission is based in the Midlands, starting in Birmingham and heading west towards the auction in Stamford, Lincolnshire.

TP: # We're going the wrong way We're going the wrong way # We're all going the wrong way on the ring road.

# VO: Not a great start in their Sunbeam Alpine, but with the treasures of Birmingham spread at their feet they'll soon be back on track.

I'm always excited about the first buy day.

I'm always disappointed at the end of the first buy day.

When you think, "Why did I buy that?!"

But actually it's concentration, concentration, concentration.

Turns on a penny, doesn't it?

It does turn on a penny.

VO: So what pennies can Birmingham throw up today?

It's been described as the first manufacturing town in the world, but can our experts reap the benefits of its rich history?

They're striking out on their own to find their fortunes, and Paul's first punt is in Moseley Emporium with the help of owner Maurice.

If you see anything give me a shout and I'll bring you up to date.

Great.

You can't sense this but I tell you what, if it was Professor Plum in the library, these would do the trick.

VO: He's got his mind set on making a killing - ha.

VO: Cat got your tongue Paul?

I'm not a great fan of cats.

(CHUCKLES) OK, so that's - what?

- a third of the nation alienated there?

Um...

But I quite like that one.

VO: It may not be purr-fect, but this art-deco style cat is quick to jump out at him.

The cat, the china - now I tend not to buy too many... DEALER: Poole pottery.

PL: It is Poole.

Yeah.

I like him.

DEALER: Yeah.

65.

PL: I'm not a cat lover.

DEALER: Mm-hm.

But the rest of the world is, apparently, so that's, I think, a... That's got wider appeal.

If I'm pitching in saying I want that for 30 quid, you're going to say no, of course, that's fine, but what are you going to bounce back at?

40 quid.

Well you know what I'm going to say now, don't you?

35.

That's a start.

I'm going to buy more than that here, yeah?

Good man.

VO: He's picked up the Poole pottery cat for £35 and in the depth of the cellar has found something to bury his rival in - or just cut him down to size.

That's a seriously good push mower.

They would look amazing if you had a big Victorian tiled bathroom.

Clearly I weigh something.

I weigh more than eight stone but I'm delighted to say less than 16 stone.

It's all there.

Interesting.

VO: He's tempted but the future of these early 20th century platform scales hangs in the balance.

Over to Maurice.

In the basement, your set of Avery scales.

They're not priced up, are they?

No.

I think those are about 45.

30 quid you could buy them?

That would be the best.

PL: If 20 quid's any use I'll take them away, but if it's not that's fine, I respect that and I'm happy.

You can actually take them away for that.

Well, I'm not going to renege on a deal, that's a deal, good man, two things, sweet, thanks very much for that.

OK, you're welcome.

I'll give you some money.

VO: Two items for a grand total of £55.

Happy as Larry.

Job done.

Thanks my friend.

All the best.

See you.

Bye.

VO: Paul's happy with his wares from Birmingham's antiques.

Time now for Thomas to delve deeper into the city's past.

And he's about to be acquainted with one of Birmingham's most inspirational forefathers, Matthew Boulton.

Now he may not be a household name, yet his life's work influenced many aspects of our modern lives.

In the 18th century, Boulton was at the very heart of the Industrial Revolution.

He struck up a partnership with Scottish engineer James Watt.

Together they developed and patented a steam engine so efficient that it went on to power industry around the world.

His business was so groundbreaking that his impressive Georgian home, Soho House, became an essential stop for visiting dignitaries, including Horatio Nelson and US president Benjamin Franklin.

Today the house is owned by Birmingham Museums, and will be graced by yet another gentleman of note - Mr Thomas Plant.

TP: Hello.

OLIVER: Hello.

Thomas.

Hello, I'm Oliver Buckley, and welcome to Soho House.

I notice there's a portrait here.

Is that of the man himself?

Yes indeed, this is a portrait of Matthew Boulton.

And what was he famous for?

Well, he's famous as an industrial entrepreneur, and his big achievement was to come out here to what were then the green fields of Soho and build his amazing manufactory, a huge industrial wonder of the age, that could employ up to 1,000 workers in a time when factories were really just craftsmen's workshops.

VO: His Soho manufactory produced a wide range of beautiful and ornate objects, but it was Boulton's passion in perfecting the latest mechanical processes that have become his biggest contribution to history.

His proudest achievement was using these cutting-edge techniques to transform the minting of coins in one of the first examples of mass production.

He developed a production line of machines allowing him to strike millions of pieces accurately that won him the first official contract to supply the Royal Mint.

These are the cartwheel pennies, so called because of this thick rim around the outside.

So what was revolutionary about the way these were minted here?

He boasted that the smaller size, you could go right down to little tiny coins.

TP: Farthings.

OLIVER: Yes, he could make 920 per minute.

Once he got the contract to make the coins it was a sign of real, you know, assurance of the quality of the things he was able to make here.

VO: But Boulton did not just oversee a production line.

In all his business projects he applied his own knowledge to make each venture as successful as the last.

How involved do you think he got in items?

Well, I think he was pretty hands-on actually.

There's actually 250,000 drawings of steam engine parts in our archives and many of those have his individual handwriting on them, so we know he was pretty hands-on.

Oh really?

Gosh.

He was involved in the inventing process.

VO: And to celebrate this groundbreaking entrepreneur, the Bank of England have put Boulton and Watt on their most prestigious note, giving him the recognition he so richly deserves.

I've got a new appreciation of Matthew Boulton and his total skill, his qualities.

If an ounce of it rubs off on me, I will be very happy, but it's been a real pleasure.

Thank you.

It's been a pleasure, thank you.

VO: Whilst Thomas is hoping to achieve a few notes up and down the country, Paul's been putting the pedal to the metal.

He's been driving towards Lichfield in Staffordshire.

VO: A cathedral city famed for its beautifully preserved historical centre.

And Paul's paying a visit to the aptly named Lichfield Antiques Centre.

There are over 60 different vendors here, including Paul and owner Madeline, so can they tempt our expert to part with more cash?

Ooh, that's impressive Paul.

Makassar ebony veneer.

Profusely and exquisitely inlaid in brass, gilt metal, mother-of-pearl, abalone.

That is... That's divine, isn't it?

It is lovely.

It's sumptuous.

VO: This Victorian writing box certainly catches the eye, but quality like this will cost you.

So it's a writing slope, and holy Moses it is priced up at £500.

Which I could just about afford is the truth of the matter, giving too much away perhaps, but what a joy of a box.

Lovely.

You just...

I mean seriously, you're going to go a long way to trump that.

This is more, more appropriate.

Fatally flawed I suspect, but nevertheless if you forgive it that, what a little charmer.

VO: From the £35 Edwardian novelty purse, sporting a little bit of damage, to the £495 box, both objects are owned by an absentee owner, so this negotiation has to happen on the phone.

First up, the purse.

He's saying somewhat south of 20.

It's decadent, it's fun, it's utterly charming, it's broken.

Uh-uh.

This is my problem, which is why I want it at a knockdown price.

There's a part two to this as well.

Which is the large box that you have down there for 495, the writing slope.

The box.

That's where I want to be.

That...

It's just fantastic.

VO: He's fallen for the box, but will Paul come back bearing good news?

DEALER: Hi.

PL: How you doing?

Ah, we're good, we're good I think.

He's a very generous man.

He'll give you that for 18.

Oh, he is a good man.

So that's, yeah.

And he's willing to go to 350.

It's not going to be for me.

I can't go there, that's going to be daft.

What a good thing though.

I think I have to buy that, but...

..I want to buy more.

VO: A punt on the purse, but at £350 the box is left on the shelf.

We have a mid-20th century enameled silver gilt prize medallion, presented by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain.

I reckon I could squeeze a little bit off the asking price and make a little profit, and do you know what?

It's easy and it's dull.

Who cares?

The box on the other hand would be a meaty purchase... ..and I may lose my lead on the back of it, because of arithmetic in the market.

So am I a gambler?

See, I would disappoint myself buying this.

My head says, "Crazy fool, buy it, take the money and run!"

My heart's saying, "No, too easy, "buy that, just... wow, flamboyant object."

VO: So will he follow his heart and take a risk on the lead?

Please don't mind me doing this but I am going come back at you on the box.

There's 200 quid on the table.

I don't mind you saying, "Look, it's too big an ask."

I think we...

I'll try, but it is a big ask.

It's a huge ask.

As long as he doesn't take offense.

Thanks Paul, I'm going to keep looking.

Cheers.

VO: He's going for the gamble, so it's round two on the writing box, and box number two as well by the look of things.

Yes.

Oh, they don't turn up like that, do they?

That's very smart.

This one is a Victorian tea caddy with the lower ticket price of £175, and as luck would have it it belongs to the same vendor as the writing box.

Um...

I am... DEALER: Ooh!

Now there's an offer.

Ah.

Would you be interested in both of them?

395 for both.

320 the two.

330?

We have a deal.

PL: Thanks very much.

(THEY CHUCKLE) What have I done?!

Thank you very much.

I've waded in deep.

But I'm delighted to have bought things that really fire me up.

VO: That's a whopping £340 discount for the two boxes.

How exciting to see him take such a big risk.

I hope he doesn't regret it when it comes to auction.

Thanks very much.

VO: And eager to take advantage of any mistake Paul might have made is rival Thomas, who's traveled to the market town of Coleshill.

VO: Sitting on the River Cole in the Warwickshire countryside, this market town boasts an impressive 13th century church complete with its own 52 meter steeple.

Thomas has come for a snoop around Kim's establishment.

Hello Thomas, pleased to meet you, I'm Kim.

VO: Half sewing, half antiques and packed full of promise for our underdog.

Paul has raced away, tremendously raced away, and I need to claw that back, definitely claw that back, but I'm going to have a good look round here and see what I can buy.

VO: Yeah, a good rummage around can throw up all sorts of surprises.

"Boom boom!"

It's what he said, didn't he?

"Boom boom."

VO: Paul's taken a serious gamble but Thomas is still larking around.

I do like that necessaire.

The little box with the mother-of-pearl.

It's not matching though, that's the problem.

I might have a look at it.

I quite like that Stanhope as well.

VO: Now, that's a bit more like it.

A lady's sewing box for £86.

Very fitting for this place.

And a £38 19th-century Stanhope letter opener.

So what you've got is you've got a letter opener... (CLICKS TEETH) ..for opening your letter, and then you need to reply to the letter you've opened, so you unscrew this bit here, you have an ink pen, a little dip pen.

In it goes, dip dip dip.

In here's a little lens.

On the little lens is a little picture.

And that picture will tell you where it is.

VO: Named after the Stanhope lens, this technique for viewing pictures in miniature was developed in the mid 19th century.

It's a clever bit of kit, if it works.

KIM: I think it's either Yarmouth or Blackpool, I'm not 100%.

But I can't seem to get it focused when I look at it myself.

What's the best on that?

30?

I'll think about that one, thank you.

OK, that's fine.

What's putting me off is the difficulty reading the actual... Just to see, yes.

VO: He's dithering somewhat.

It's a late 19th-century lady's sewing and dressing table accoutrement which she'd travel with her.

This is for cleaning your ear.

And then a tweezers for your eyebrows.

VO: Ah, but can it pluck out some profits for you Thomas?

What's the best on this one?

70.

If that helps you.

Thank you.

That's 70, I just can't see it making me a profit.

At all.

But it's a lovely thing.

What were you thinking?

Well, it's quite offensive really.

I personally rate the box at £40.

OK. And I rate the Stanhope at 15.

KIM: So looking at 55?

TP: 55.

Yes, I think... Are you gonna be alright?

I'll be alright with that.

TP: You don't mind?

KIM: No, no, no.

I'd be happy with that.

You got a deal.

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

You're very welcome.

No, that's very good.

I better give you some money.

VO: Both items for less than half price and much more shopping ahead of him tomorrow.

But for now it's time to bid farewell to day one on the road.

Sleep well you chaps.

Morning has arrived and with it comes... (ENGINE TURNS OVER) TP: ..a spot of car trouble.

VO: That's good.

And the reliable Alpine gets them on the road once again.

Thomas, I've got good news for you.

TP: Have you?

PL: (LAUGHS) Boy have I got good news for you!

What?

What?

Well, you know how I could've played it safe?

TP: Yes?

PL: I went the other way.

If you spend big, then of course the risks are bigger.

Yeah yeah, of course.

I've blown the money.

VO: Not quite Paul, but yesterday he did blow £403 on the art-deco pottery cat, the large scales, the novelty purse, the Victorian tea caddy and the risky writing box.

It's just fantastic.

VO: Leaving him with £98.64.

VO: Thomas parted with a more conservative £55, picking up the Stanhope letter opener and the lady's sewing box, so he has £172.74 to spend today.

PL: It's a braw day.

VO: This morning they're starting in Shenton in Leicestershire.

Shenton is part of a conservation area and our experts' first stop can fittingly be found in a grade-II listed farmhouse.

How lovely.

TP: Here we are.

Oh this is gorgeous Tom.

Yeah, look at that.

Right, I'll see you in about an hour.

Cartwheel penny.

VO: Hopefully a lucky penny Thomas.

The moles, who are pretty blind, run and then get snapped.

Ow!

I'm dressing up again, I fancy being a fireman today.

VO: On the last leg he was a soldier.

Today a fireman.

Man about town?

VO: Maybe tomorrow he'll come as an antiques expert.

Stop mucking about Thomas - it seems both experts have their minds elsewhere.

Last night at the hotel, because I've no life and I can't switch off from this, I did some research about the Poole cat.

I could find nothing.

The thing doesn't exist.

Now...

I don't think I'm getting carried away, this suggests to me I've got the only one, or one of a tiny number, and if that's the case...

..I may have something more exciting than the coffee set!

VO: Luck seems to be with Laidlaw on this trip, but Thomas still has some hard graft to do.

I'm trying to find things to beat the Laidlaw with.

They haven't got it, that's what annoyed me.

They just haven't got it.

Totally chilled, totally chilled.

VO: Come on Thomas, with five objects in the bag your rival's done with shopping, so there's an opportunity to find the hidden treasure in here.

Go for it.

Instead of binocular it's just the one.

DEALER: For a one-horse race.

For a one-horse race, Margaret!

How much is it?

Let's see.

Dun-dun-dun, £22, look at that.

VO: Things are looking up with this Barr & Stroud monocular.

The Scottish company were pioneers of modern optics and were a key supplier to the armed forces in the 20th century.

It's got pedigree but can he spy a profit?

Can we do a deal on these?

What were you thinking?

You always say, "Go on, you tell me, you tell me."

What do you think I was going to say?

A fiver.

Well that's quite harsh!

I wouldn't say a fiver, I'm not that much of a bad man, am I?

VO: You'll never win with that strategy Thomas.

OK, £15.

15.

£15 and I'll take them off your hands.

Right, OK.

Thank you.

Is that alright?

Yes, yes.

I'll give you some money.

VO: Success at last with the monocular for £15, and back in the Sunbeam the chaps travel through the beautiful Leicestershire countryside.

But it hasn't always been so peaceful in these parts, and our experts are en route to the site of a major battle, one that changed the course of British history.

PL: This is an adventure.

TP: (CHANTS) What?

Thomas Plant.

I want a sword, I want to bang it against my chest.

Ahhh!

VO: In the 15th century a vicious civil war raged for decades.

The War of the Roses was one of Britain's bloodiest and thousands were killed in the fight for the English throne.

Then in 1485 came the Battle of Bosworth.

The reigning king, Richard III, lost his life on the field and his crown to challenger Henry VII, giving rise to the Tudor dynasty who ruled England for over a century.

VO: This decisive battle is of such significance that historians and experts have fought for centuries over what exactly happened and where.

But over the last few years the facts surrounding one of Britain's lost battlefields are being discovered, and military man Paul is keen to find out what they've unearthed, so he's come to Bosworth Battlefield Heritage Centre to meet heritage officer Richard Mackinder.

PL: Richard, Paul.

RICHARD: Welcome.

Hi.

Good to see you.

Here we are at... Bosworth Field?

Yes, that's correct.

Well that rings like Hastings and Culloden in British history, doesn't it?

When and what's the significance of Bosworth?

Well, Bosworth is one of those major turning points in British history.

It was the end of the medieval period with Richard Plantagenet, Richard III, the last British king go into battle alive and unfortunately get killed on British soil.

VO: At the time of the battle King Richard III had been on the throne for just two years, yet he was immortalized by Shakespeare and more recently made headlines when his remains were discovered under a Leicester car park.

The facts of Richard's death are slowly coming to light, as are the mysteries surrounding this incredible battle site.

Since 2005, a team of archaeologists and experts have been painstakingly scouring the area for evidence.

VO: Answers have appeared with each new object they've found, much of which can now be seen in the center's museum.

But it wasn't until they discovered clusters of lead and stone roundshot fired from small cannons that they knew they had a breakthrough.

So we've got a number of different lead spheres, roundshot, and they're fired roundshot, and they are found within this scatter, and that's what makes it a battle site.

Individual items on their own are not enough.

It's only when you put the whole story together do you start to then say, "Actually, yes, we can now say "that at least part of the major part of the fighting was here."

VO: Five years into the project, they were able to piece together a large amount of what happened in 1485, but this is just the beginning.

PL: We've got a battle site.

What next?

It would be lovely to try and find the full extent of the battle site.

We haven't actually found big enough areas of no battle litter to say, "We're now outside it."

And of course, on top of that, what this project has given us is the ability to try and understand a huge area of landscape - not just the two and a half hours of 1485 but the landscape and the history of man in that landscape from the very earliest days, from stone axes right the way through up to the modern history.

VO: Well you've whet my appetite.

Good luck to you.

Many thanks, Richard.

Cracking.

My pleasure, absolute pleasure.

VO: It's taken over 500 years to get this far, but with so much left to find the fight for knowledge rages on in Bosworth.

Our experts however are engaged in a power struggle of their own, and Thomas is threatening all-out war.

I'd love to buy something that would then project me... ..to the level of the Laidlaw.

We're can have a real battle then.

VO: This brave warrior is heading to the city of Leicester in the East Midlands and is hedging his bets at Hidden Treasures.

Hello Thomas, I'm Mack.

Mack, nice to meet you.

This is your shop?

Yes, it is, yes, been open four weeks.

Four weeks?!

Four weeks.

So I want to have a good goosy gander if that's alright.

You help yourself, yes, by all means.

It looks exciting.

The innards have gone, the innards have gone.

VO: You can't say he doesn't take a close look, now, can you?

All the clocks are ticking away, reminding me of how little time I've got left to beat the Paul, to beat the Laidlaw with.

VO: But there's always time for dressing up with this chap.

I'll be back!

VO: Oh do focus, Thomas.

VO: Time's pressing on, and shopping under pressure is no picnic.

So this is a Braxton picnic set with china plates, stainless steel knives and forks.

It's all there, isn't it?

People do like these things, don't they?

TP: They are quite fun.

MACK: They do, yeah.

VO: This 1960s picnic set is priced at £60 and it would look great in the old Alpine on the way to auction.

Mack, what's the best on this?

I could probably go to... 45 on that.

Is that your best?

What do you think?

35.

OK, well that's great, 35 for that.

That's definitely worth considering.

It would be nice if I could try and find something else as well.

VO: Thomas?

He's drifting off.

Maybe a man's best friend can help him out.

These are green onyx, and spelter dogs, painted.

They're quite a sweet thing really.

Are they super cheap?

MACK: They can be £8.

TP: £8?!

Yes.

Oh, that's my kind of money.

£8, great.

Well I think they're really good then.

VO: He's sniffed out a bargain with these two art deco bookends.

You can't argue with £8, can you?

TP: Mack?

MACK: Yes?

Could I have this and the dogs for 35?

That and the dogs for 35... Would you do that for me?

OK.

Thank you very much.

Thank you very much.

Let me give you some money.

VO: Lordy - another two items for the modest price of £35.

So with 10 items between them, it's time to bare all at the rather grand Bosworth Hall hotel in nearby Market Bosworth.

TP: So Paul... PL: (CACKLES) Let's have a look.

OK, right, two stages to this.

Right, OK, two stages.

That's numero uno.

And... Oh my... By the way Thomas... My!

PL: Thomas... size does count.

TP: (LAUGHS) And that's a real man's set of scales.

Ha-ha!

TP: What a beautiful thing.

PL: I fell in love.

Now, the pussycat.

Yeah.

The pussycat.

Oh, it's a Poole piece.

So was that really expensive?

That was £35.

(GASPS) No!

That's another Susie Cooper!

I think it is.

God, that's so rare.

Come on, hit me with it.

T-Tssch.

Well, well, OK. Um...

The bone paperknife - Stanhope in the terminal?

Stanhope, yeah, yeah.

The view is of...?

I can't see it cuz it's dirty.

It needs cleaned.

It's, it's, it's...

It's erotic?

TP: No, no, I wish!

PL: Oh, not dirty in a nice way?

PL: OK, OK, fine.

TP: Oh, no, no, no, no.

Rate those, like those a lot.

How much do you think they were?

120.

How much were they?

TP: They were very expensive.

PL: How much were they?

They were £5.

PL: What?

What?!

TP: No, no... PL: You...

This is guaranteed a nice little return.

Good ensemble.

This is going to be another fun auction.

TP: Yeah.

PL: Good work.

Good work, come on.

They've gone for some high risks and potentially high rewards, so who's got the edge this time round?

Laidlaw's inlaid box, the mother-of-pearl one, is wonderful.

Such good quality.

Well done him for taking the plunge.

The dogs are the one to watch.

With dog lovers in the room, they could do really well.

Hopefully these little nibbles, they're like little low punches, will just slowly eke, eke, eke back, and then the glory's all mine.

VO: Another one gunning for glory.

So onward they head to auction in Stamford.

With its beautifully preserved buildings, this picturesque Lincolnshire town has been immortalized in various silver screen outings, including the 2005 adaptation of Pride And Prejudice.

TP: What a place.

Isn't it beautiful?

PL: Georgian splendor.

TP: It is, isn't it?

It's splendid.

PL: It's glorious.

TP: Does that mean our lots are going to be splendidly wonderful at the auction?

VO: Today they're heading for auction at Batemans Auctioneers and Valuers.

Very good.

Excited?

Tinged with nerves.

Oh, don't be so ridiculous.

(CHUCKLES) Hey, I've spent the money, man!

I know you've spent the money!

You can't lose!

VO: And as our experts eagerly await their fate, auctioneer David Palmer muses their offerings.

So we've got the 20th century bathroom scales, which are as ugly as sin.

I mean, would you put those in your bathroom?

The little miniature traveling or sewing box, many of the parts there don't match, but I love that, I think it's brilliant, particularly the earwax spoon with the tweezers at the end.

That is so cool.

VO: Paul is staking his lead on five items that cost him a significant £403.

And nipping at his heels is Thomas, who's also offering up five items at a total cost of £105.

So is it money well spent?

Luckily for Thomas there's a dog lover in here, but will Paul be as fortunate?

18, at 18.

VO: The time of reckoning has arrived, and David's kicking off proceedings in the room, on the phone and online.

First up, Paul's platform scales.

The auctioneer doesn't like 'em, but will the buyers?

It's all in the balance.

Look good in any bathroom, probably.

Um...

I don't know, £20, Straight in at £20.

20 for these, the scales, 20.

VO: Apparently not.

Invisible bidders, that's what I said.

OK, don't all talk at once.

Tenner then, £10 the scales?

Anyone?

10, £10 for the bathroom scales.

Fiver for the bathroom scales?

Five I'm bid down here.

Up front at five.

Oh, the internet wants them.

Six on the net, somebody wants them.

Seven.

At seven now, goes at seven, eight, nine, in the room at £9, and I sell to the gent at nine, 10, 12.

Back down here at 12.

I sell in the room at £12.

Sell then at £12 in the room.

(GAVEL) VO: I guess nobody with a huge Victorian bathroom turned up today, Paul.

Not a great start, mate.

I've done my bit with scales.

Scales are dead to me now.

I've moved on.

What scales?

VO: Over to Thomas's first lot.

Can it open up some profit?

Proper antique, £20 for that?

£20?

20, £20.

DAVID: On the phone at 20.

TP: Ooh.

DAVID: 22 in the room, 22.

ASSISTANT: 24, sir?

25 is actually the next bid.

25, here at 25, 28, 28 there, 30.

ASSISTANT: 30, sir?

VO: It's gathering momentum.

30, at £30, 32, 35, here at 35, 38, 40 now, phone go 40?

DAVID: Yes, 40.

TP: This is going.

45 in the room.

50.

DAVID: 50, here's another 50.

TP: Oh, my... What is going on?

You can't leave this sir, 55.

Go 55.

50, I sell on the phone then.

With the phone at 50, sell on the phone at £50.

(GAVEL) VO: He's more than trebled his money on that one.

Long may that continue Thomas.

Back to Paul, hoping to rev up more interest in this offering.

Rather a nice little piece this, £30 for that?

30?

30 I'm bid.

30.

Take two now.

Goes on at 30, and take two if you like.

Is that it?

At £30, 32, 35, 38, 40.

At 40, 45 sir off you.

Bidding, it's going to make 60.

Don't be cheap.

42, 45, against you at £45, no-one else then?

DAVID: No-one else at 45?

(GAVEL) VO: That's motored him back into the black.

PL: Recovery.

TP: Take that.

Back in the game.

VO: Thomas again, and the first of three boxes these boys have bought.

Got a wonderful little earwax pick with tweezers on it in it.

They are so seriously cool.

I've been using it all week, it's brilliant.

Start me at 50 quid.

50 I'm bid, at 50, 55 now, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85.

At 85.

At 85.

Goes at 85, you bidding on the phone?

DAVID: 90, the phone then at 90.

TP: Oh my God.

I sell on the phone at £90.

Back in at 95.

What?

What?

It's going to make three figures.

100.

At £100, back on the phone then at 100.

You're out in the room, all done at £100.

I don't believe it.

Have you got your mum on the phone?

TP: Yeah.

(GAVEL) VO: Believe it or not Thomas, you're getting some seriously good returns today.

PL: Everything now is cream.

TP: Everything now is cream.

VO: The pressure's on Paul with this lot, the first of his big risks.

Really rather an interesting one.

Let's start at £100, straight in at 100.

100 I'm bid at the back.

100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150.

TP: There we are, profit.

DAVID: 160, 170.

180, 190...

There you are, Laidlaw's just raced ahead now.

220, 230, 240, 250, 260, DAVID: 270, 280.

TP: There you are.

Put it there my man.

It's working, isn't it?

It's all in the room.

It's all in the room.

Goes to the back at 290, you in at 300?

No, you're out?

Definitely out?

DAVID: 290 at the back.

(GAVEL) VO: A cool £180 in the old bag without skipping a beat.

I just hope he can hang onto his profits when the other box pops up.

Put it there, put it there.

VO: Thomas has even more ground to make up now.

Can the monocular see him through?

DAVID: Spy on your neighbors, see what they're doing.

15 quid?

At £10, 10 to start, anyone 10?

£10 for it.

Sir, 10.

Tenner, with him at 10.

See, I've got his measure.

At 10, 12.

On the net at 12.

15?

At 12, here on the net then at £12, and I sell to the net at £12.

Perhaps in a future sale, the other half of the binoculars will turn up.

Goes then at £12, all done at 12?

Anyone else at 12?

VO: Look out - ha!

- that's a disappointing loss.

PL: Tried.

TP: Tried, tried.

VO: Ah - the rare Poole pottery cat.

Have the buyers done their research just like Paul?

50 I'm bid, 55, 60, five, at 65 now, take the 70.

Done then at 65?

Nobody else in the room?

70, 75, 80, 85.

At 85 now, 90, the net at 90, 95?

TP: Get in there.

Well done.

DAVID: Internet at 95, 100, net at 100.

TP: Get in there.

PL: This could do it.

DAVID: At 110.

PL: This could do it.

At 110, goes at 110.

120, at 120, at 120, 130.

It's creeping up on the net still, isn't it?

DAVID: 140.

TP: Yeah, yeah, yeah.

150, the phone at 150, this phone at 150.

At 150, 160, 170 phone.

170.

At 170.

180, 190.

PL: It's one of those things - if you stop you might never get another chance.

DAVID: 180.

The net at 180.

PL: So don't stop, don't stop!

DAVID: Goes with the net at 180.

PL: No no no, keep going, I want it to do more than this.

At £180.

Are you coming in at 185?

DAVID: 185 they've got.

(THEY EXCLAIM) At 185.

Phone at 185.

190.

I'll take the five again.

195.

Phone 195.

Another fiver may be all important.

At 190, sell then at 190.

TP: Good spot.

(GAVEL) VO: It seems the cat's out of the bag, and Paul's profits continue to rise.

Cat that got the cream.

Yeah, cat that got the cream!

VO: Perhaps Thomas's next offering will pack some much-needed profits.

£30 for it, 30 quid, the hamper.

£30, £20.

30 here, on the phone at 30.

Sell on the phone at £30, and I sell at 30.

35, 40.

40, 45 sir?

At 40, sell at 40, you out in the room?

Goes on the phone at 40.

(GAVEL) VO: It all counts, and that's another £10 in the bag.

I think that's a good result.

That is a great result.

VO: Up next, his bookends.

I hope these get some tails wagging.

So you've sat here from the start of the sale until now.

I'm not going to bid for that!

(LAUGHTER) Let's start at, I don't know, 30 quid.

30 I'm bid, 30, two, 35, 38, 40, 40 now.

At 40.

Done then at 40?

Five, 50, 55, 60.

At 60.

She lied to me!

DAVID: At 60, 65.

(LAUGHTER) 70, 75, 80, new money at 80.

85, 90.

95, 100.

PL: Oh now 100.

DAVID: I'll take the five, 105, 105, 110, 120, 130.

At 130.

Goes at 130, and five again.

Try 135.

Go on.

DAVID: 135.

BIDDER: Go on then.

135, down here at 135.

How can you be so cruel and bid against her?

135.

I sell with the dog at 135.

Bunty's buying at £135.

All done at 135, nobody else?

Net, nothing on you?

DAVID: Sell here at 135.

(GAVEL) VO: That's a huge markup.

With profits like that, Thomas is threatening Paul's formidable lead.

Man, what a sale!

What a sale.

VO: So it all comes down to Paul's biggest risk.

Such a huge gamble on this one item.

Couple of hundred?

Straight in at 200?

DAVID: 100, at 100.

PL: (MUTTERS) Selling at 100, 10 on the phone?

110 on the phone.

110, 120?

120.

130?

130.

140?

140.

150, 160.

We'll get there, we're getting there.

170, 180, 190, 200, 220, 220, 240, 260, 280, 280, 300.

TP: You're fine, you're fine.

PL: Break even.

Break even.

300, 320, 340.

Straight back, he's straight back.

340, 360, 380.

DAVID: 380, 400, 420.

TP: Well done.

ASSISTANT: 420?

TP: Well done.

What's he mean "no"?

400 I sell in the room.

420 phone.

Phone go 420.

400 in the room then, I sell to the lady in the room.

Has he got in?

410.

410.

420 off you?

420, 430 now.

TP: I'll take it.

PL: Yeah, yeah.

430, 440.

440, 450.

DAVID: 440, the lady at 440.

TP: That's good.

DAVID: I sell in the room then.

TP: Well done.

That's £200 on top.

Give it there.

DEALER: Nobody else?

(GAVEL) VO: He shoots, he scores, and he holds onto the lead with ease.

Get in there.

Midasing, my mate.

Come on, we better go.

VO: That fantastic auction has seen profits soar on both sides.

Starting with £227.74, Thomas has made some massive margins, clocking up profits of £171.34 after auction house costs, giving him £399.08 to spend on the next leg.

But still in front is Paul Laidlaw, who started with £501.64.

His big gamble paid off, giving him £398.14 profits after costs.

This means he now has £899.78 to spend on the next leg.

PL: Tom?

TP: What?

You'll need to be driving yourself.

Why?

Because I've got a helicopter booked.

Oh, rocking, I mean rocking, you've doubled your money again.

PL: (LAUGHS) You though, Margin Man!

Look at this, Mr Margin!

Yes, yes, yes.

We're out of here.

VO: Next time on Antiques Road Trip, Thomas Plant is gunning for glory.

Have that Laidlaw.

VO: And Paul Laidlaw is taking it all very seriously.

I'm a disappointment to myself.

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