WOULD you 'Adam and Eve' it? A toffs' car boot sale will empty Dorset country attics of all kinds of cut-price curios this weekend, but one extraordinary find will not be on sale to bargain hunters.

The owner of a house near Bournemouth was sorting through one dusty old box when he came across an early 18th century relic known as a Temptation Plate, which he thought might make a few pounds at the sell-off.

But further research by one of the event organisers found the plate - which depicts Adam and Eve standing under the Tree of Tempt-ation with the serpent wrapped around it - was a rarity, valued at a staggering £10-12,000.

A detailed description given to Rosbery's Fine Art confirmed the find as a William and Mary, English Delft, Blue Dash Charger, much sought-after by collectors. The bemused owner, who does not wish to be identified, said: "My wife has always detested the thing. She said it looked better in a box, but I suppose it's just a matter of taste."

Parley Court Farm, opposite Bournemouth Inter-national Airport at Hurn, will host the Golden Jubilee Country House Car Boot Sale on Sunday from 9am-1pm, offering up thousands of pieces of bygone bric-a-brac.

An expert from Rosbery's will be on hand to give advice to buyers and sellers alike, and additional entertainment during the day will include terrier racing, ferret handling, quad-biking and clay shooting.

Event chairman James Gibson Fleming said the day offers a timely chance to discover all kinds of lost items from our countryside's heritage - and may even throw up some further lucrative finds.

"Old country houses are notorious for harbouring all kinds of surprises. Many of the items being brought along haven't seen the light of day for quite some time," he added.