WHEN he found a small decorated piece of china in his garden, Mark O’Donovan had no idea what it was or whether it was worth anything.

Now he has been told by antiques experts from BBC2’s Flog It! that the piece is a 19th century Chinese snuffbox, which could be worth up to £150.

Mr O’Donovan, from Kidlington, was one of hundreds of people bringing treasured possessions to the Sheldonian Theatre, in Broad Street, on Wednesday in the hope they might be worth selling at auction.

After receiving the valuation, he decided he was prepared to part with the unusual item, which was one of about 30 selected at the event to go under the hammer at Jones and Jacob Fine Art Auctioneers, in Watlington, on Wednesday, April 21.

Mr O’Donovan said: “It was sat on the dresser of the kitchen for a number of years, and when we were changing the kitchen around I picked it up and decided to look a bit more into it.

“They said it might make £100 to £150, but Chinese artefacts are going well at the moment so that’s conservative – so I’m going to flog it.”

Flog It! presenter Paul Martin said he was delighted to be in the city again, following a visit by the programme in 2006.

He said: “This is one of the best locations I have ever filmed in in years. Everywhere you go, you can’t help but walk around with a smile on your face. Your eyes just gravitate upwards to all the wonderful buildings.”

Antiques enthusiasts Bruce and Joan Honour, from Charlton-on-Otmoor, were told their inkwell stand could be worth £60 to £100.

Mr Honour said: “My late brother bought it at auction for about £15, about 30 years ago.

“We watch the programme every day it’s on. We’re big fans.”

Some of the items brought along had a more local flavour.

Angela Goff, of Jordan Hill, Oxford, brought two footballing items, one from the 1966 World Cup finals and an Oxford United programme from a 1972 match at the Manor Ground against Manchester United, signed by the Manchester United players.

Mrs Goff was given the programme by her uncle, Les Bateman, who was the groundsman at the Manor at the time.

She said: “I mostly wanted to see what they’re worth. I’m a huge fan of Flog It! and Paul Martin. We met him and he was very pleasant and smiley.”

Janet Salter, 57, from Oakley, near Thames, was told a set of silver spoons she had brought were worth £30 to £50, and will be attending the auction next month.

She said: “I think it will be interesting, because I have never been to one before.”

Three programmes will be made from the footage recorded on Wednesday and during the auction next month.