LANDLORDS of a pub are screening an episode of a popular antiques programme starring a couple from Wollaton.
Jo and Dave Locke, of Flying Dale Way, tested their knowledge of collectable items for the latest series of Bargain Hunt - making a cheeky £35.
They appear at the Dunkirk Inn, in Montpelier Road, on Friday lunchtime. Viewers can judge their choices of buying a wooden ashtray, ceramic Chinese-style bowl and a golden brooch.
"It was an amazing experience," said Jo, 36, who works in finance at the University of Nottingham. "We went out there with a bit of knowledge but we are no experts. I collect ceramic English wade so I was looking out for something like that but we couldn't find anything like that."
Among the couple's finds was an 1822 porcelain Chinese bowl, recovered from a shipwreck.
"The fact that someone had been down to recover it made it stand out," said personal trainer and electrician Dave, 37. "I thought anything with a story to it is going to sell. As for the golden brooch, I think Jo just wanted something sparkly."
The real gamble, it seems, was the ash tray made of wood. With the help of specialist antiques adviser Nick Hall, they spotted the mark of The Mouseman - a.k.a. Robert Thompson - who is a well-known craftsman.
"I thought twice about an ashtray made of wood," said Jo. "But then Nick told us about the background of the Mouseman when he saw the mark and we thought it could turn us a tidy profit. He showed us the sort of things to look for."
In the end, the £215 Jo and Dave spent at the antiques fair in Derby's Roundhouse was transformed into £250 after the auction in Litchfield.
And although specialist Nick Hall helped them with The Mouseman, he almost scuppered their profits with his expert's purchase.
With the £85 left from their £300 budget, Nick was tasked with adding to their profits but his two lion-shaped plinths returned just £40.
"We had the option to take the difference in his sale," said Dave. "But it was expensive and we didn't see it going for that much."
The couple's interest in collecting has continued since filming the show with Dave's love of film and history sparking an interest in Roman coins and James Bond memorabilia.
"I've always been interested in history - especially the Romans and kings like Henry VIII. I've got 14 Roman coins now but only buy them when they're good quality."
Jo, meanwhile, is more worried about being made to look silly on the telly. "I told them I do pole fitness so I hope they don't edit it to make me look daft," she said.
Jo, who has not seen an preview, will find out at the Dunkirk Inn, where her work colleague arranged for the episode to be shown at 12.15pm on Friday.
Landlord Reginald De Souza said: "They are regular customers and we do what we can to make any requests happen.
"I'm expecting at least ten or twelve of them to come down. It makes a nice change to pubs just showing the football. It caters for a different taste."
