TV personality Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen brought a touch of of flamboyance to the launch of the Lacock Cup exhibition at Wiltshire Museum.

The interior designer still best known for his stint on the BBC series Changing Rooms, which ran from 1996 to 2004, was at the museum on Friday with a camera crew as part of his research for a new show with a historic twist.

Museum director David Dawson said: "We aren't allowed to say very much about the programme as it is a pilot but he was very interested in the cup and used it as a backdrop for some of the filming."

He was at the museum just hours before a private view of an exhibition showcasing 100 important objects from the county. Wiltshire councillors and members of Devizes Town Council gathered along with friends and supporters of the museum to get a glimpse of the cup which is the star of the exhibition.

But a burst pipe in Long Street, where resurfacing work was taking place, nearly caused a catastrophe on the eve of the private view.

Mr Dawson received a call late on Thursday to say there was a danger that water might seep into the museum's cellar.

He said: "They asked if there was anything important in the cellar and I replied it was full of archaeological finds. But luckily when I got there they were dealing with it and there was no damage."

The cup, which dates from the 15th century, used to be owned by St Cyriac's, Lacock, but was sold in 2013 for £1.3 million to the British Museum to pay for church restoration.

But now it has come home to Wiltshire and will be on display at the museum in Long Street until July 16.

Among those enjoying seeing it back in the county was Lacock vicar the Rev Adam Beaumont.

The silver-gilt cup was used at feasts by the Lord of the Manor of Corsham but during the Reformation was given to the church and was used by its congregation as a chalice for communion wine for more than 400 years.

But it was on loan to the British Museum since 1963 as it was considered too valuable for use.

The British Museum and Wiltshire Museum jointly acquired the cup, one of the most significant pieces of secular English medieval silver, with support from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the Art Fund and private donations.

The Wiltshire in 100 objects exhibition was inspired by the British Museum/BBC Story of the World in 100 Objects.

Mr Dawson said: "The objects on display illustrate the diverse aspects of Wiltshire’s past from Stonehenge to the Moonrakers and much more besides.

"The exhibition also celebrates the variety of Wiltshire’s museums, including volunteer-run village museums, industrial sites, art galleries and museums with internationally important collections.

"The 100 objects, ranging from a sarsen maul used as a hand tool by the builders of Stonehenge to an aircraft bomb sight, manufactured at Westinghouse, Chippenham, in 1945 are a real cabinet of curiosities, each with its unique role to play in telling Wiltshire’s story."