ANTIQUE collectors across Dorset will be showing off their treasures on prime time television this weekend.

Cameras descended on Lulworth Castle in June for the popular BBC programme Antiques Roadshow.

Viewers will be able to see what local treasures are worth when the programme is broadcast at 8pm on Sunday.

More than 3,000 visitors attended the event in the summer, many of whom arrived before dawn clutching their items in the hope of making unusual discoveries or getting a life-changing valuation.

Presented by Fiona Bruce and the team of experts, viewers will be able to see which items made it into the final cut and share the surprises – and disappointments – of their owners.

It is believed that a rare copy of the abdication papers of Edward VIII and a leather tankard made for Oliver Cromwell during the civil war will feature in the programme.

The day’s filming captured such a variety of stories that a second hour-long programme will be screened on February 19 next year.

Liz Rudd of Lulworth expects her engraved silver teapot to be featured on the later episode.

She learned some facts about the antique, and said: “Ian Pickford, the silver specialist, said the person who engraved the teapot obviously didn’t know Chinese because it was upside down.”

Elaborating on the simple teapot’s colourful history, Mrs Rudd added: “It was presented in the 1920s to the Duchess of Kingston-upon-Hull, who was the mistress of someone and was disgraced.

“I really don’t know how it came into my grandfather’s possession.”

Diana Wordsworth, a local antiques enthusiast, was not so lucky.

She received a rejection letter this week for her painted leather screen.

She said: “They did warn us that it might happen.

“We wanted to find out about the screen’s history and how to maintain it, not so much the value. “Although, had it been worth a lot of money I would have considered selling it – I’m not that wonderful.”

She added: “The setting in Lulworth Castle was lovely. And seeing all the experts’ faces, one felt one knew them.”

James Weld, general manager of the Lulworth Estate, said: “It is a great opportunity to showcase what we have here at Lulworth, and to share the breathtaking ‘what’s it worth’ moments of those who came along on the day.”