Amateur antique dealers tried to impress TV's David Dickinson with their 'bobby dazzlers' when ITV's Real Deal show was filmed in Oxford.

TV presenter Mr Dickinson - famed for his cheesy catchphrases - met hundreds of hoarders who had dusted off their family heirlooms for the recording of ITV's Real Deal at the Town Hall yesterday.

Each hoarder met antique dealers who gave a valuation on their artefacts, which ranged from diamond rings to pieces of pottery.

The owners were then made an offer by the dealer, with Mr Dickinson jumping in to give his opinion on whether it was a 'real deal' or they would be better off taking it to auction.

One of the first to receive Mr Dickinson's advice was Christine Lutman, who brought in three diamond rings she had inherited from her great aunts.

She received an initial offer of £300 from Deddington-based antiques dealer Brenda Haller, who has worked on the show since October 2006. Mr Dickinson stepped in to suggest the rings might be worth more in the region of £350.

Mrs Lutman said: "In my mind I had an idea of what I would accept, but he was certainly bolder than I would have been."

A deal was finally struck for £360 for the rings, which had lain in Mrs Lutman's jewellery box for 35 years.

One of the quirkiest items which excited David Dickinson and his team of experts was a box of Roman nails dating back to between 83 and 87 AD.

The box was brought in by Wheatley Park School teacher Sarah Stickland, who had been given it by her brother Ray.

The 30-year-old from Sandhills had no idea how old the nails were until the show's experts examined them.

She said: "It really was a chance discovery and I only brought it along because we were intrigued about what it might be.

"We were amazed to be told it had such a history."

She added: "It has no great monetary value - I think it's between £50 to £80 - but obviously it is of great interest."

Mr Dickinson said: "Filming the show is always interesting and deals like this one are all part of the fun.

"We have come to expect the unexpected - sometimes we find really valuable items, sometimes they're just quirky, but there is always something different."