VOICEOVER (VO): The nation's favorite antiques experts, £200 each and one big challenge.

Cuz I'm going to declare war.

Why?

VO: Who can make the most money buying and selling antiques as they scour the UK?

Can you make it...?

No.

VO: The aim is to trade up and hope each antique turns a profit.

Ouch!

VO: But it's not as easy as you might think - and things don't always go to plan.

Push!

VO: So will they race off with a huge profit, or come to a grinding halt?

We're doomed!

We're doomed!

VO: This is the Antiques Road Trip!

VO: This week our experts are Paul Laidlaw and Thomas Plant, both gallant auctioneers on a mission to make money in their rather nifty Alfa Romeo.

THOMAS: She's driving very well today.

THOMAS: Just waiting for the next flat tire.

VO: Thomas, a top auctioneer in Newbury, loves the finer things in life, but does tend to dither and get a bit distracted.

Stan or Ollie?

VO: Paul, on the other hand, our Scot, is more to the point.

Hand over your money, sir!

VO: With a degree in maths and physics, he likes to get to the money and drive a hard bargain.

How about I stick my neck out - I need that in with the deal.

I'll throw you one of those in for £120.

VO: They're racing down the backbone of Britain, from the delightful Yorkshire Dales, a lovely jaunt through Derbyshire and a sidestep to Huntingdon, before heading south and finally reaching Pewsey.

Wow!

VO: Both of the boys started off with £200 yesterday.

Paul's high spending paid off, and he's just ahead with £227.54.

Not bad for his first ever road trip.

VO: Meanwhile, Thomas was more cautious, and that was reflected at the auction.

For me, for me!

VO: But he still made a profit, and has £226.62 to spend today.

VO: But I'm sure he's got a game plan.

THOMAS: I plan on giving you a very good run for your money, and I hope you do for me.

PAUL: You go for it Tom.

THOMAS: Go for it.

PAUL: You go for it, God loves a trier.

THOMAS: Aww!

THOMAS: No need to be nasty!

PAUL: You're a sensitive soul Thomas, aren't you?

THOMAS: I'm a sensitive little flower, you know, I'm a Plant.

VO: And today, our delicate Thomas and feisty Paul will be spinning through the countryside, from beautiful Bolsover in Derbyshire and down to the auction in Stamford.

VO: Our first stop is Bolsover, with its impressive castle, towering over the town since the 12th century.

It also had a thriving coal industry for 105 years, until its demise in 1994.

THOMAS: About time we bought some antiques.

Especially in the rain, we're used to it.

PAUL: Yeah, in the rain for a change(!)

VO: Well, find some shelter, and where better to go than a converted old pub?

Bolsover Antiques Center.

THOMAS: This looks like an old pub.

Do you think we'll get a pint?

THOMAS: Bit early, maybe not.

VO: Never too early for Thomas.

With every intention of thrashing the Scotsman, Thomas gets off to a storming start.

This is a Chinese cricket cage.

And the Chinese kept crickets.

If it was 111 years old, this wouldn't be so stiff.

But it's quite nice though.

VO: And something has caught Paul's eye as well.

There's a Troika coffin vase, and if that price is right...

I'm gonna ask to see that, because that's £54, and that looks like a no-brainer from here.

VO: Troika pottery became famous in the 60s.

Each piece was unique, with its tactile textured surfaces and wonderful abstract designs.

PAUL: It's iconic material, and you can see why it's got a hardcore following, and some of it can make telephone numbers.

VO: Just as well the vase owner isn't there in person.

The shop manager will have to ring him.

DEALER: Troika vase.

Yeah.

What's your very best on it then?

Your coffin-shaped vase.

£49, right.

VO: While Paul pauses for thought... You mind hanging onto that for... 20 minutes?

And I'll see what else I can find.

I'll keep it down here for you.

Certainly tempted, thanks for making the call, yeah?

That's OK. VO: Thomas is still looking for inspiration.

This is wonderful.

This is a piece of art deco glass, from about the 1920s.

They've got 30s on here - it's not, this is 20s.

It's just beautiful, really, these slender women.

VO: Yep, naked women always have an appeal, and crafted in glass with lovely acid etching, I can see your point Thomas.

But it's well and truly broken, which probably explains the 50% off sign.

THOMAS: If this wasn't broken, I would imagine that being worth £700-900.

THOMAS: Do you know, it's marked at £60, so therefore it's £30.

I want it for £5-10.

VO: I'm not sure they'll appreciate the staples over at the auction.

They look a bit like stitches, don't they?

From an A&E department.

VO: Looking still for glass, Thomas finds a nice and intact bowl reduced to £45.

Listen to this, listen.

It's just, you know, it sounds like a church bell.

VO: Oh lordy.

Still going.

Once they've already said 50%, they might say 95%.

What am I doing picking up a piece of broken glass?

Is the owner here?

He's not, actually.

VO: Shame.

Thomas's charm doesn't work quite so well over the phone.

THOMAS: Now I want to buy these two for as little as possible.

So you want more money off even though there's already 50% off?

Much more!

I'd like to get it for £20, but I think £30 would be what I'd want to pay, but he probably won't go for it.

DEALER: The gentleman would like to offer... £30 for the two.

..£30 for the two.

He said he'd go to £70 If he has a change of heart, I'll be here for another... he can call me back.

If you have a change of heart, he'll be here for a little while.

VO: That clever lady has left temptation right under his nose, and Thomas just can't resist that vase.

£25 I'd take it, I'd go to £26.

Would you go to £25?

VO: I bet Thomas would prefer to do the persuading himself.

Alright, bye bye.

You can have it for £26.

£26.

What a madman.

I must be bonkers, but my...

It's a piece of art this is.

VO: And it's not just Thomas battling with the dealers - Paul is going in for the kill, you watch.

Is there any possible way that you could go down to £40?

Just a little bit less than £45?

Bye.

He'll come down £1 more to £44.

Sold for £44,000!

Thanks very much, that's excellent Carol, appreciate that.

VO: Paul, having bagged his Troika vase for £44, seems to think it's time for tea.

PAUL: How crazy is our cannon teapot?

PAUL: Now, between the wars, and into the Second World War, novelty teapots with a military theme were not uncommon, but not seen this form before, artillery piece, the big wheel there, and do you see the shell forms the handle here?

A curious beast.

It's alright that.

It's got to stand out, and it's uncommon, for sure.

And it's £35.

I'd want it to be £20.

VO: Right, off to see those lovely ladies again.

They seem to be on your side, Paul.

You can have it for £20.

Can you come with me?

There's something about you!

I'll travel round with you!

VO: And he's on a roll.

Next he spots an art deco silver plated bowl.

There's age to that.

PAUL: When does it date to?

1920s, 30s?

I just think it's a good looking thing.

I'm just going to make an offer, no harm done, the worst they can do is say "you're having a laugh".

After this I'm out your hair.

VO: Don't push your luck!

PAUL: Is there any way on God's Earth - I'm looking vulnerable, can you see this?

This is my soft side - a tenner.

DEALER: Can't you go a little bit more than that?

£15.

Howsabout I meet you in the middle and give you - you're gonna laugh at this, or just slap me in the face - £12 and a wee polish.

£14 would cover my costs.

And I'll polish it, because that would make me happy!

And I've loved this - £14, a deal.

Thank you.

But it needs to be like a mirror!

I'll be back with my white cotton gloves!

Thanks very much.

VO: £14 and a polish.

Three deals in the bag.

No wonder he's happy.

Thomas, on the other hand, has one vase, and that's bust.

Ha.

VO: Paul's next shop is in the nearby town of Clowne.

VO: This village dates back to before the Norman conquest, and was started by a chap called Wulfric Sprott, don't you know.

PHILIP: Hello!

PAUL: Hello.

How are you doing?

This is some place you've got here, is it not?

VO: Shop owner Philip does much of his trade on the web, so he doesn't have to pack everything to the rafters.

I think Paul approves.

Very smart, very nicely done.

It's not oppressive, it's nice and light.

VO: And perfect for spotting things.

That is a Bush DSC90A Bakelite cased valve radio.

Classic, absolute classic, there was a telly that matched it, an iconic telly, and it's got £5 on it.

VO: £5?

Surely not.

PAUL: I can see valves and wires and speakers just as I should.

It tunes.

Don't often ask this question, it's not in my nature - why is your Bakelite radio so cheap?

It's not something I really deal in.

PHILIP: It's a nice decorative piece.

PHILIP: For what it costs it's lovely.

For what it costs it's sold.

Thank you very much.

VO: I think we're as stunned as you are Paul.

Bodes well for more bargains though, eh?

PAUL: They look pretty sweet.

PHILIP: They're very nice, and each one - look inside.

PAUL: Yeah.

Delightful little pair of Japanese bronze vases, but what makes them is the very naturalistic depiction of this little, is it a sparrow or a finch?

PAUL: I'm gonna be really cheeky - what have you got them up at?

PHILIP: I've got them in at £195.

PAUL: I am not an authority on these, but I see the quality that clearly you do.

They're lovely, and I do like stuff like this.

They are.

Yeah, yeah, yeah.

PAUL: I would go with the auctioneer's hedge of £80-120, though I'd be offering £80.

PAUL: It's a real offer, it's not game playing.

It's a little...

I will.

I have had them on a few weeks, so, and I've not got anywhere with them.

I will.

OK. Let's do it.

I like them, and I think you'll do well with them.

Well I hope so.

I think you'll do very well with them.

Thanks, man.

VO: Paul has steamed through this shop, and now with five great items for the auction, this boy could do with a break.

VO: But it's actually Thomas who has put shopping aside, and he's off to see some steam engines - but not the train variety.

VO: Just 17 miles south of Bolsover, he's going to Papplewick Pumping Station.

THOMAS: Lovely, look at that, red brick lodge house.

VO: It's Britain's finest Victorian waterworks, and provided fresh supplies for the city of Nottingham for over 80 years.

VO: And thanks to a number of volunteers and curator Ashley Smart, it's still in working order - no problems in the waterwork department.

ASHLEY: And what you can see before you is two James Watt & Co. beam engines.

THOMAS: Wow.

VO: These magnificent machines are a shining example of Victorian engineering at its height.

VO: They were only restored back to their former glory in 2005, and wasn't it worth it?

We can have a quick tour?

Yeah, we'll have a quick tour around and then we'll have them running for you as well.

THOMAS: Really?

ASHLEY: Yeah.

VO: Or rather Dave will.

He's got the knack of how to get these engines in motion - well, he should do, as he's been here for 33 years.

When you're ready, Dave.

OK. Ready Les?

VO: Once underway, they produce enough power to pump three million gallons of water from the wells and out to Nottingham every day.

THOMAS: It's quite a lovely smell, and that heat.

Yes, isn't it?

Just such a peaceful sound.

Yeah, absolutely.

I must admit, on rare occasions, I have on the seat dropped off to the soporific sound of this engine.

VO: But what is equally fascinating is the building itself.

The Victorians really knew how to design ornate architecture, even for humble water pumps.

VO: Nearly every surface is covered with images of animals and plants, and even includes the windows.

ASHLEY: But all of the decoration that you see, it's all celebrating the life-giving properties of fresh water.

THOMAS: It's wonderful, isn't it?

ASHLEY: Yeah, yeah, it's fantastic.

THOMAS: It is Victoriana at its greatest.

VO: These beam engines are 25 feet long, and weigh a hefty 13 tons each, but in fact, how they work is surprisingly simple.

ASHLEY: A case of the steam going into the cylinder, and the cylinder is expanding, the steam is expanding inside the cylinder.

It's simply pushing, and then pushing down the piston, so as one end of the piston goes up, the beam is sinking down one end, and as the piston then comes back down, the other end of the beam goes up.

To get the steam, what has to happen there?

To get the steam, you've got to make the steam from the coal, so we need to go to the boiler house really, and then you can see how the steam is generated.

And somebody's shoveling in that - Oh yes!

A bit like on a train?

Very much so.

This is Lawrence, one of our stokers.

THOMAS: Lawrence, that looks like hard work!

It's not too bad!

THOMAS: No?

LAWRENCE: Hot work.

THOMAS: Hot work?

THOMAS: How long does it take to heat up one of these boilers?

We started last Sunday.

Wow.

VO: And when the engines are going, they can use up to five tons of coal a day, all shoveled in by hand.

You getting my drift, Thomas?

Do I get a set of overalls or do I just get on with it?

Well...

I'll just get on with it.

Like that, yeah?

Oh it's hot work!

Can't imagine Tim Wonnacott doing this!

VO: Oi!

There's nothing the matter with my boiler, thank you.

THOMAS: Like that, yeah?

Yeah, not so white any more!

THOMAS: But thank you very much, I've had a great time.

VO: Sad as it is to leave one of Europe's great industrial monuments, Thomas needs to go and find Paul.

VO: It's the end of the first day, and Thomas is still buzzing from his visit.

THOMAS: It was wonderful.

PAUL: Really good?

THOMAS: Oh, it was good for the soul, you know?

Took my jacket off, stoked the furnace.

PAUL: There's got to be a calendar shot in that!

THOMAS: Yeah, you'd have thought so!

I would've thought so.

VO: Day two, and the boys are motoring south through Derbyshire.

Thomas is way behind in the buying stakes.

He bought one solitary item yesterday, and spent only £26, whereas Paul has stormed ahead and spent £163 on five items.

VO: So the pressure is really on Thomas as they drive down to their next town.

VO: Newark has been historically important since Roman times.

In 1133, the bishop Alexander the Magnificent - great name - thought it was important enough to build a castle here on the banks of the River Trent, and it was so well positioned during the Civil War that the town was known as "the key of the north".

VO: Now, Newark is more famous for its antiques fairs, which bodes well for our experts today.

PAUL: You feeling lucky?

THOMAS: Newark Antiques center.

Yeah.

So as you had first pick yesterday, what do you want to do today?

I'll go downstairs, you can go up?

We've got that upstairs downstairs déjà vu thing going on, right.

You want to swap?

Yeah, I'll go with that.

THOMAS: No pressure.

I'll find something.

The thing is about these centers, the thing is, you've got to ask, open the cabinet, get them to go and phone the dealer - it's much better if you can eyeball the dealer and say "look," you know, "what can you do this for?"

VO: Do I detect a tiny bit of stress here?

Getting a bit worried about your competition perhaps Thomas?

VO: Whereas Paul is in a much more comfortable position, with lots of nice things for the auction already.

PAUL: I'm delighted with what I bought yesterday.

Pressure's off I think.

I'm feeling quite good at the moment.

I think Paul's done quite well, I mean, you know, he seems to have bought, he tells me he's bought quite well.

He's very happy.

Maybe a little bit over-confident, I don't know.

VO: Thomas at last has seen something he likes.

What he really needs is a dealer in the building so he can use that devilish charm of his.

Little, these are little evening bags, ladies' evening bags from the deco period.

THOMAS: Not silver, but they're quite attractive, quite desirable.

If this was silver, it'd be a lot more money than £39.

VO: After searching the whole shop, Thomas has found one cabinet full of possibilities.

This is a bone letter opener, and in the top here it's got a Stanhope, and a Stanhope is a little miniature scene printed on a magnifying glass, and here this says "the interior of Hastings Castle looking east".

THOMAS: Souvenir ware.

£33.

Not bad.

I think the owner's here of this stuff.

Might have a conflab, get out these things here.

This is Mauchline ware.

Mauchline ware is from Scotland, and it's quite collectible.

VO: In fact, very collectible.

These delicate wooden souvenirs were made in the town of Mauchline in southwest Scotland, and they always include transfer printed images, often appropriate for tourists visiting a region.

I could build up a little bit of a deal here, you know what I mean?

A good deal on stuff.

VO: Know what I mean?

And the owner is right here, ready, willing and able.

What can we do on these items here?

STEVE: Going to be a one-off price of 115.

115 for the lot.

You couldn't go down to 95?

STEVE: No.

THOMAS: No?

No.

THOMAS: Would you meet me sort of halfway?

£100?

Eh, no.

I would do another £5 off.

THOMAS: £110.

STEVE: That's nearly a third off.

THOMAS: I know, I know, I know, but I'm just, I am trying, I'm trying to beat Laidlaw, and the thing is about Laidlaw, he's been so confident about his stuff, and it is just such boring military stuff he's been buying.

Being independent Steve, I think £105 would cut the deal in the middle.

THOMAS: Yeah, go on, he's saying £105!

STEVE: Whose side are you on?!

He's on my side, he's being very sweet to me today.

£105?

Go on then.

Thank you very much.

VO: Thank goodness for that - Thomas has bought some things that are all in one piece.

Meanwhile, Paul, having spotted nothing that took his fancy, has left early in his gloves.

I am on my way to Melton Mowbray, which is somewhere I've never been, but as Cheddar is to cheese, Melton Mowbray is of course to pork pies.

VO: It's about 29 miles from Newark, a very pleasant drive through Derbyshire's rolling hills into the county of Leicestershire.

VO: It's a bit random, but then you don't want to get in between Paul and his food, oh no.

He's off to the oldest and last remaining authentic producer of the Melton Mowbray pork pie.

VO: Started in 1851, it's now run by Stephen Hallam, who is going to tell us what makes his pies so special.

Melton Mowbray pork pies are now protected, just like Champagne, Parma ham, etc.

Three key points: they must be made and baked within a geographical area around Melton Mowbray.

STEPHEN: Number two: the meats must be fresh, British, uncured pork, natural pork, not bacon or ham.

Yeah.

Thirdly, when the pies are baked, they should have no support around them, so they go into the oven with no tin or hoop, so they sag and settle and the sides will bulge out.

Fantastic.

VO: Paul isn't just here to eat the pies, oh no - he's going to have a go, using only traditional tools and techniques.

This is your - dolly, did you say?

STEPHEN: Dolly.

PAUL: Dolly.

Don't ask me why it's called a dolly, I don't know, but dolly, block or mold, whatever you wish.

PAUL: It could be my new gavel!

STEPHEN: Yeah, absolutely, but I'd rather use it for making pies than a gavel!

VO: The pork pie has been around for centuries.

Originally, the crust was super hard, and preserved the contents for months, rather like food today in a tin.

PAUL: One, two, three... STEPHEN: Excellent, there you go.

VO: After the final touches to the pastry, the pies have to rest before baking.

And obviously you'll want that in a glass cabinet, ultimately.

Well, what value would it get at auction, I wonder?

STEPHEN: I don't know.

PAUL: It's one of those priceless things.

Best eat.

Just let the market decide.

VO: Once baked, the jelly can be added.

This is where I'll flood this.

The whole purpose of putting the jelly into the pie here is it's putting moisture back into the meat that the meat's lost as and when it's baked, so when you come to eat it it'll be as moist and as succulent as can be.

VO: And then finally Paul gets to try one - yum, yum.

VO: Mm, one happy man.

Stephen, thank you very much.

Really enjoyed that.

It's a pleasure.

VO: Tom is also now in Melton Mowbray.

He's off to the Old Bakery - sadly not to eat pies, but it is his last bit of retail therapy, and he's still got £95 to spend.

Wow.

A lot of stuff.

VO: It's a rather specialist place, with lots of knobs and knockers and kitchenalia.

Thomas is in heaven.

THOMAS: If you were doing up a Victorian property, you know, you were renovating it, and you wanted the right fingerplates, the handles, the escutcheons, lavatory pulls.

THOMAS: By the way, they are not toilet, that word will never be mentioned in my presence, they are lavatory pulls.

Sundial.

And it's got three screws here, and it's by a man called John Wilson.

You say between 1900 and 1930?

DEALER: That's right, yeah.

VO: Actually, this beautifully crafted piece was probably made in the early 18th century - a great find for the auction, Tom.

THOMAS: I think that's delightful.

You've got £120 on it, what would you...?

DEALER: We'd do that at 100 to you.

Give that one some serious thought.

VO: Yes, concentrate - you're running out of shopping time.

THOMAS: Let's hope I don't end up with a big fat zero at the end of all my shopping.

Maybe that's telling me something - buy a whip!

VO: But unfortunately, you don't have quite enough to buy the crop for £22 and the sundial at 100.

You'll have to give her a good lashing.

THOMAS: I'm still very tempted by this sundial of yours.

Well I think you should buy it!

I want to know what else you can do on it.

It was 120.

You said 100... DEALER: 100.

How about 90?

What about £80?

Oof... You wouldn't consider 80?

£80.

I mean I like the whip as well, because I thought about whipping Laidlaw with it.

Well, that would be good.

Yeah, it would be good.

This is a lovely crop, isn't it?

THOMAS: We're selling in Stamford, I don't know how horsey Stamford is.

DEALER: Oh, Stamford's horsey.

THOMAS: It is horsey.

DEALER: They like sundials in Stamford as well.

THOMAS: Do they like sundials?

DEALER: Oh yes.

THOMAS: Do you think so?

DEALER: Oh yes.

VO: Oh, she's very persuasive Thomas, and now she's reduced the crop to £15.

I think I'm gonna go for the crop.

DEALER: I think that's a wise decision.

THOMAS: And if you are a horse rider, that would be a very handsome thing.

DEALER: It would be handy.

THOMAS: It would be handy.

THOMAS: I used to ride horses when I was a boy.

Bramble and Chester.

VO: Oh, those were the days.

Now, come back to 2011.

Time to settle up for both of them: £80 for the sundial and £15 for the whip.

So can we do the deal?

£95?

95.

THOMAS: Thank you very much.

I'd better give you some money.

Oh yes, definitely.

THOMAS: And five.

DEALER: Wonderful.

VO: So, after a slow start, Thomas has come up from behind and could now be galloping ahead.

VO: It's perfect timing to reveal their wares and see who's bought what.

Dazzle me, Thomas.

Your turn.

I have...

Spent all the money.

I have spent all my money.

Good!

I spent the lot.

I've got 62p left.

Superb.

So I'll start off with my first buy, from the first shop.

Ah, this is it.

THOMAS: A bit of art deco, it's beautifully done.

PAUL: It's fabulous, isn't it?

THOMAS: Fabulous, but it's whacked.

"Whacked" in Thomas Plant's world means it's completely broken and been repaired.

Thomas, I admire what you did there.

I think that was ballsy.

PAUL: My first buy.

I can see through the bubble wrap, the squeaky bubble, we have a piece of Troika.

What's that worth?

£40-60.

PAUL: I paid £44.

THOMAS: Nice thing, OK. PAUL: OK that, yeah?

THOMAS: Well done.

THOMAS: I did a bit of a deal with this, and I bought this, a little evening bag.

PAUL: Indeed.

THOMAS: The thing is, these bags are quite fashionable right now, so 25 for that.

PAUL: OK, yeah.

It's mounting up!

51!

The second thing I bought was... you've seen its ilk before, but I don't know that you've seen many of this particular form.

THOMAS: Oh, look at that.

Beautiful thing, actually.

Not something I'd go for, but absolutely wonderful, and the other, the most important thing is: does it pour well?

Mauchline ware?

Well, see, you know all about this, being a proud Scot.

THOMAS: Bit of a bone Stanhope.

Oh you've a Stanhope in there have you?

Yeah, Stanhope in there.

Good good good.

And a Mauchline ware string box.

I like that, it's good.

I bought them with the purse for £105.

Ah, right right right right right.

So the whole thing was 105.

That's a lot of material for the money.

THOMAS: Yeah, that's what I thought.

I'm in agreement with everything you've come up with.

Not as big a ragging as I got last time.

PAUL: I think you've bought better.

PAUL: I hope you don't do better!

PAUL: Right then, last thing I bought yesterday.

Pretty elegant.

So, a comport, silver plated.

PAUL: I think the price was right.

How much?

£14 polished!

£14 polished?

I was gonna say 15 quid!

THOMAS: I like it, it's just my type of taste, I have to say.

PAUL: OK. Last shop.

PAUL: Oh my word.

THOMAS: Now that, I thought, was lovely.

It's lovely.

Oh, it's just...

It feels right.

It's nice.

Good thing that.

PAUL: Really good thing.

Got me worried with that!

Got me worried with that.

Well, see what you think of... THOMAS: Oh, this is - look at that.

So Japanese bronze.

THOMAS: Oh, that's rather handsome, isn't it?

PAUL: Yeah.

THOMAS: Aren't they lovely?

They are, aren't they?

80 quid.

THOMAS: 80 quid?

PAUL: 80 quid.

THOMAS: So we've actually bought quite similar items, haven't we?

Yeah, I think we've both pulled out a belter at the end there.

And one more item?

For me?

Have you?

Yeah?

I've got one more item.

THOMAS: C'mere Laidlaw.

Yeah, I'd heard that about you and leather.

THOMAS: A leather riding crop.

PAUL: But you didn't pay anything for that?

THOMAS: Why?

PAUL: Paid a fiver for that.

No, I didn't, no, it was £15.

Thing is, it's a good present, we're going to a very horsey place, country set, crops always do well.

THOMAS: OK, OK. PAUL: You've seen these before.

Post-war British classic.

Does it work?

The Bush DAC90A.

PAUL: I'm absolutely sure it will, actually.

THOMAS: What did you pay for it?

PAUL: That was the piece that was priced at £5.

THOMAS: No!

PAUL: No, honestly.

I was haggling for £5 today!

Haggling over a fiver.

That's a good buy.

It's £30-40, £25 profit, less the commission, well done you.

I would bet on both of us doing well here today.

Do you think so?

I think, I'm worried I pushed the boat out.

PAUL: Not at all, you're going to be, I think we're going to be alright.

My man - good work.

VO: Now, after all the niceties, what do they really think?

I'm back in the game.

Plant is back in the game.

Laidlaw the outlaw - - with his £5 Bush radio...

Almost a gift, another freebie!

Thomas surprised the hell out of me today.

I did not think he would go for it, and boy did he.

To be quite honest with you, I am liking his choices today.

VO: Thomas and Paul are finally nearing the end of their hunt for treasure.

From Bolsover to Clowne, Newark to Melton Mowbray, their fabulous finds are about to go under the hammer in Stamford.

VO: This Lincolnshire town is full of old world charm.

It can boast 11 churches, 30 pubs and 20 restaurants, and one auction house: Bateman's.

First things first, some honest truths from the house valuer, Kate Bateman.

How are we going to do?

I like some of your items.

Some of them you've played a blinder, I think, depending on how much you've paid, I think some of them are really good.

THOMAS: OK, OK!

PAUL: That's a big if!

I like, I really like that little, the brass sundial, I think that should do really well.

Whose is the Frankenstein stapled glass vase?

Mine.

What were you thinking?!

Seriously, it's got... it's awful.

There's a lovely skip in the corner of the sale room.

If it doesn't sell... THOMAS: No way!

THOMAS: Bronze vases?

PAUL: Bronze vases.

I love those.

Do you know what the signature - I couldn't find a signature on them, cuz they're not a rain mark, but do you know whose they are?

Nope, not off the top of my head.

They are beautiful quality.

They should do really well.

Japanese stuff does well here.

Who's going to win?

You're fairly evenly matched, I have to say, because you've each got...

Your sundial might do OK, your vases should be good.

Thank you very much.

Paul and I are going to take our seats.

Go on, listen to how it goes.

VO: The auctioneer today is David Palmer, and he's hard to miss - like his waistcoats.

First up is the pretty mesh bag that Thomas bought for £25.

£10, the evening bag.

10, got to be worth a £10 note.

DAVID: It could be silver or platinum or anything.

12 here.

With the net then at £12, the net comes in at 12, 15 off you in the room.

15.

Net at 15.

18, room at 18.

At 18, net go again.

VO: Interesting - Kate has a live bidder on the net.

DAVID: 20.

22?

22.

The gent down here at 25.

At 25.

Have another go sir.

Go on!

DAVID: At 25.

28?

DAVID: Goes then at £25.

THOMAS: No, surely it's worth more.

DAVID: All done at 25?

THOMAS: One more than 25!

VO: Not a good start, Tom, but something else has been sold - Paul's chair!

I'm sorry, could I take your chair please?

What?

You've bought it?

Yes.

Oh my word.

What'd you pay for it?

110.

Do you want to take 120?

Quick profit?

I'll give you a hand.

DAVID: Take your 40.

Done then at 38.

VO: Such a gent.

VO: The next lot's yours though, so don't be long, and get another chair while you're at it.

Excuse me, excuse me, I'm back.

VO: It's the 1930s silver plated bowl, art deco in style and bought very reasonably for £14.

If you saw this in Liberty's shop it'd be, like, 1500 quid.

In Stamford, let's start at £20.

20 quid for it?

20.

DAVID: 10 then!

Tenner, 10 I'm bid.

In the middle at 10.

DAVID: A nice sell.

10, 12, 15, 18?

18 on the net.

18, 20, in the room at 20.

22.

25.

DAVID: At 25, goes at 25, take eight.

28.

30.

At £30.

DAVID: Goes then at 30 and I sell at £30, the bid's in the room at 30.

PAUL: Keep going.

DAVID: Is that it?

At £30?

I'll take that.

I'll take that.

Doubled your money.

Alright.

VO: Very decent sale.

A £16 profit before commission, and we're then straight in to another one of Paul's pieces, his wonderful Bush Bakelite radio, which cost just a fiver.

Oh, the brown one.

The brown one's are particularly rare.

Brown is the new black.

DAVID: 20 I'm bid.

At 20 now, and I sell at 20.

DAVID: Take two.

Two, down here at 22.

With the internet at 22.

DAVID: Nobody else?

That'll do me nicely Thomas.

Can't moan about that Mr Laidlaw.

VO: Spot on, Paul.

£17 before auction costs, and only your second item.

Here comes Thomas's Mauchline ware and paper knife.

We go straight in at 20 quid.

20, two, 25, 28, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, DAVID: 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80.

You're there.

At 80.

Done then at 80 now.

And five.

90.

95.

100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160.

At £160 now, against your 160.

Have another go sir.

170, 180.

DAVID: At 180, 190, 200.

DAVID: At £200 now.

I'll tell you what, as it's you I'll take a fiver.

205.

At 200?

Goes then at £200, you're all out here?

You're out in the room, it's your last chance sir.

Go on!

Finished on that at 200.

Lend him a fiver!

£200.

VO: Shocked is all I can say to that.

He's made £120 profit before commission - wow.

Nice little earner.

Everything now is all gravy for me.

It's all gravy.

VO: And what could be better than to now have some fun?

Thomas's whip.

Put it in at what, 20 quid?

£20 for it?

Nice little riding crop?

Tenner then.

£10.

DAVID: Fiver for the riding crop, don't be shy.

Oh no!

DAVID: Five, over there at five.

And I sell at £5.

THOMAS: No, come on.

DAVID: It goes for a fiver.

Six.

Thank you!

With the kinky lady now at six.

DAVID: Seven.

Eight?

Eight.

Nine sir.

Nine.

10.

DAVID: 12?

12.

At 12.

One more, one more and I break even!

DAVID: 15.

Yes, I break even!

15.

18.

18.

20?

WOMAN: No!

THOMAS: I'll make a profit!

DAVID: At 18.

DAVID: I'll tell you what, I'll throw the bloke in with it!

Go 20.

20!

Selling to the second row at 20, do you want two sir?

DAVID: 22.

Goes then at 22, and I sell at 22.

THOMAS: Oh, wonderful.

VO: Not only did the whip make £7 profit before commission, but everyone's had a good laugh.

VO: Truly original, it's the cannon teapot - perfect for a military man, or woman.

I think this is fun - 20 quid for it, straight in.

DAVID: £20.

The teapot, a novelty teapot.

It's gotta be worth... Yeah.

DAVID: Oh, you cheapskates.

Tenner then!

£10!

DAVID: 10.

Over here at 10.

15, 18.

20.

DAVID: Here at 20.

25 in the room.

DAVID: In the room at 25, and I sell then at £25.

£25.

I've made £5 profit.

VO: You said it Thomas.

VO: Next it's Thomas's art deco glass vase - yes, it's a bit broken, but it might just surprise us all.

Put in at 20 quid.

20?

Madam?

Tenner then.

VO: This doesn't look good.

And I sell at 10, take two.

Can you hear me?

At 10.

Finished and done then, at £10.

DAVID: 12.

15.

At 15, 18, 20.

At 20.

DAVID: You're out, done then at £20, is that it, nothing on the net?

All done at £20.

VO: Oh dear, that's a loss.

But what did you expect Thomas?

What do you care, Tom, to be quite frank?

What do you care?

You're playing a blinder.

VO: Troika next, a unique piece from the iconic Cornish based factory - a dream.

£30 for it?

£30?

30 I'm bid, 30, take the two now?

Is that it?

DAVID: 32.

Right next to you sir, 35.

38 here, 38, 40.

In the light shirt at 40.

Take five again.

Or two even.

DAVID: At 40 and two.

42.

45.

In the room at 45, net, you are out.

Sell then at 45.

Do you want 50?

50.

55.

At 55.

Goes at 55.

At £55, nobody else?

VO: With that profit on the vase, they are practically neck and neck.

Very respectable.

Well done Mr Laidlaw.

I'm happy with that.

VO: So Thomas's last piece, the sundial.

It might make all the difference.

Let's start at 50 quid.

50 I'm bid, five, 60, 65, 70, DAVID: 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, at 100 now.

At £100, take the 10.

Yes, 110.

120.

Done then at 120, net you're out.

130.

140.

At 140.

Keep going then, 170, 180.

DAVID: 180.

Done at 180.

190.

200.

At £200, net, you are out.

DAVID: At £200.

At £200 then, I sell at 200.

Anyone else?

Finished and done at 200.

VO: Well, after a mediocre auction yesterday, Thomas is storming ahead.

I feel vindicated.

I just feel - ahhh!

VO: The final item of the day - Paul's much praised rare Japanese vases, bought for only £80, worth hopefully hundreds.

£50 for them.

50?

20 quid then.

Come on.

DAVID: 20 I'm bid, 20.

Five.

30.

35.

40.

DAVID: 45?

45.

Stick with it madam.

50?

DAVID: 50.

I sell down here at £50.

No!

DAVID: At 50.

Anybody else?

Nothing on the net?

DAVID: All done at 50?

DAVID: Goes then at 50, sell to the lady at 50.

No, no, no, no, no...

I'm gonna cry.

I'm gonna cry.

Paul, that is terrible.

How did that happen?

VO: A crushing final blow, which means Thomas has streaked ahead.

I think I'd rather have taken a damn good thrashing from your whip than sit and watch you make those killings there, Thomas.

VO: Please gentlemen, I think we've had enough talk about whips for one day.

Now, how about some totals?

VO: Paul started with £227.54, and after paying costs to the auction house, made a loss of £13.76, giving him £213.78 to spend tomorrow on the next part of the trip.

VO: Meanwhile, Thomas has had a splendid day.

After starting with £226.62, he's now made a profit of £156.94 after auction costs, which means that he carries forward £383.56.

Right, let's go and buy some more stuff.

PAUL: Let's do it.

THOMAS: Yeah.

DAVID: Sell in the room at 45, nobody else at 45?

VO: And in high spirits, they set off on their next antique adventure.

THOMAS: Here we are in beautiful sunny Lincolnshire, on our way a bit further south - hey-hey!

PAUL: And I still don't need my passport?

Are you sure?

You still don't need your passport, no.

VO: Paul is going to get back to basics.

It was there, it was big, it was brown.

It was furniture.

VO: And for once, Thomas gets a bonus.

I can't complain, that's a freebie!

It's a freebie.

PAUL: Dig, dig, dig, dig!

(LAUGHS) subtitling@stv.tv