ANTIQUE lovers packed out the Oasis in search of cold hard cash, valuations and a chance to meet TV star, David Dickinson.

Organisers of Dickinson’s Real Deal, which is to be aired on ITV1 in the near future, said Swindon topped all predictions, breaking season five’s attendance scores.

An estimated 500 people spent much of the morning snaked around the leisure centre with goods ranging from ivory trinkets to mammoth paintings.

David, who originally worked on the BBC’s Bargain Hunt before moving to ITV, said the crowds were great news for the show.

He said: “There’s been a phenomenal turn-out. The lines are running round the building.

“There has been a real mixture of items, lots of interesting things have been coming in thick and fast.

“We have seen some Cornwall and Devon pottery, a billiards handbook from the 1940s, porcelain and clocks.

“Our only concern is we won’t be able to see everyone, so we will send our valuers out into the lines in order to check out the rest of the goods so nothing gets missed.”

A number of people had items deemed so interesting by the show’s valuers they were judged one-on-one with the show’s professionals – including one lady who sat down with eminent valuer David Ford.

Before reaching the podium, holding a turn of the century carved bookcase from the Black Forest, in Germany, Mollie Edwards, from South Marston, said she was an avid fan of the show.

She said: “I watch the programme every day and I am a big fan of David’s. He comes from Stockport, as do I.

“I hope I’ll be able to meet him today.

“I am looking at getting at least £80 for the bookcase which my father bought at an antique market years ago.”

During the valuation, when Mr Ford offered Mollie £50, she quipped – “for which half?”

Other amateur collectors were on hand not only to sell their goods, but also to find out if they had hidden gems sitting in their living rooms.

Norman Cambridge from Cheney Manor brought along a set of six china tea cups from Japan and an ivory Buddha.

The 69-year-old martial arts enthusiast said he was not keen to sell the items but wanted to know if his finds from antique fairs were worth anything.

He said: “I have these items next to my samurai swords, they look quite old and I thought I would come along and get an estimation of their worth.

“I wouldn’t mind meeting David, but because I don’t plan to sell them I am not sure if that is possible.”

Howard Jones, 80, from Old Town, said he attended after seeing the event listed in the Adver.

He said: “I had these Victorian paintings in my house until my children said ‘why do you have those old things up?’.

“Since then they have been in my son’s attic, but I thought they were worth a look.”