RESIDENTS hoping to find cash in the attic had treasures and trash valued at their local pub by a celebrity auctioneer.

Locals yesterday took hand-me-down Bibles, old golf balls and tennis rackets to the Victoria Arms in Marston, to see if they were worth a fortune.

Oxford Mail: The Victoria Arms pub in Old Marston photographed by Donna Cassettari

Waiting inside was daytime TV antiques expert Ben Cooper, best known for his advice to amateur collectors on Bargain Hunt.

Fans who usually watch teams battle it out for the biggest profits from treasures found at car boot sales waited patiently for Mr Cooper – who has started visiting the pub once a month for a free drop-in antique surgery.

Alongside expert Philip Hall, who organises the gig for the pair, he perched at a table in a side room to give a free valuation and inspect goodies that could have once been considered junk.

Nine-year-old bargain hunt fan Sofia Navas Chambers came along with a tennis racket that belonged to her late grandfather after seeing a poster in the pub the day before.

She said: “I learnt lots of things about it. I learnt the frame was to keep it from getting wet – when this type of wood gets wet, it bends.

“Also I learnt that the lines are made of guts.”

Another goodie, a golf ball dating back 100 years – mass produced in the early 20th century to save on money – was estimated at £30–£50.

When guessing its worth, Mr Cooper explained that some are just ‘lucky’ and successful while others don’t make much at all.

He said: “There are some on the market for £400 plus, however there are some that sell for just £10.”

The TV star said some punters headed along to the now-monthly events just to know the worth of what they were sitting on, rather than to sell.

Oxford Mail:

He said: “This morning I was looking through some jewellery, and those ladies can come back now next month if they want, knowing the estimation.

“People see all these different programmes, Bargain Hunt, Cash in the Attic, Antique Roadshow, and they wonder if they could make extra cash, for a new tyre or a wedding or whatever reason.

“Some people find out they have a couple of thousand pounds sitting on the side.”

The antique surgery is now held from 11am until 2pm on the first Wednesday of each month.

Mr Cooper said: “This a very informal setting.

“When you go to an antique shop, you’re behind the glass, you can’t have a chat informally. There’s a lot of paperwork, and here – it’s totally free.”

The next session will be held on October 3.