Presenter Fiona Bruce will be filming with the Antiques Roadshow in Layer Marney on May 12.

ANTIQUES experts will be on hand to offer visitors free advice and valuations when a popular BBC television programme arrives in Layer Marney.

The Antiques Roadshow will be filming for its 34th series at Layer Marney Tower, between Tiptree and Colchester, on Thursday May 12.

The doors open at 9.30am and close at 4.30pm and entry to the show is free.

Fiona Bruce, who is presenting the show for the fourth year, said: “Presenting the Antiques Roadshow is, for me, one of those rare and very lucky coincidences in television when you get to work on a show that you already love to watch.

“Exploring the human story behind every object is what makes Antiques Roadshow so fascinating. And everyone loves the agony and ecstasy of the ‘what’s it worth’ moment.

“The roadshow isn’t just about antiques – it’s history, beauty and drama all wrapped up in one.”

Some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine arts specialists will be on hand to offer free advice and valuations to visitors, who are invited to raid their attics and bring along their family heirlooms, household treasures and car boot bargains for inspection by the experts.

The last series, watched by an average of six million viewers, included some great finds such as an Egyptian stone head dug up in a garden worth £10,000, a medieval ring found on a farm and valued at £20,000 and a Meissen cup and saucer bought at a car boot sale for £2.50 which was worth £5,000.

Among some of the stranger items brought along were uneaten pieces of Royal wedding cake and a life-sized model of a lion once used in a TV series.

Series dditor Simon Shaw said: “The team are all looking forward to visiting Layer Marney Tower. It’s always exciting to see what will come to light on the day.

“We regularly see between 1500 and 2000 visitors on the day. Despite the high turnout everyone will get to see an expert.”

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk.

It may be possible to arrange to look at the item in advance and organise transportation to the venue.

More information can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/antiquesroadshow.