ANTIQUES experts will be on the hunt for a bargain in Dorchester.

The BBC’s Antiques Road Trip will be paying a visit to The Mews in Durngate Street – which specialises in watches, jewellery and antiques – on Monday.

The programme will see experts Mark Stacey and Margie Cooper seeking out bargains to then sell on at auction for a profit.

Michael Delage-Pandeli, who co owns The Mews with Jean-Claude Gendre, said the visit of the popular television show was a boost for both his business and the town in general.

He said: “It’s a great coup for us and it’s a great coup for Dorchester.

“We opened in February and the programme contacted us and came down for a visit and they absolutely loved the place.

“So we have got the two experts coming down plus the filming crew and they usually come down in a vintage car as well. The idea is they have to buy pieces here which they can then make a profit on at auction.”

The filming will take place from around 11am to 1pm and will be open later for anyone else to come and have a go at seeking out a bargain.

Mr Delage-Pandeli said: “If the BBC can find a bargain to make a profit from then I’m sure our customers can as well.”

Town Crier Alistair Chisholm will also be in Durgnate Street on the day to offer his historical knowledge of the town and neighbouring businesses will be open as Mr Delage-Pandeli hopes to make the event a real occasion for the town. He said: “It’s great that it’s going to give promotion to the town.”

Mr Delage-Pandeli said he was delighted with the response from the local community since opening up the business in February.

He said: “Dorchester seems to like what we are doing here and it’s surprising how many people are interested in what we are doing.”

Antiques Road Trip is produced for the BBC by STV.

Executive producer Wendy Rattray said: “The production schedule for Antiques Road Trip is jam-packed and full of surprises.”