Antiques Master

The country's leading amateur antiques enthusiasts battle it out to become Britain's first-ever Antiques Master in a series presented by Sandi Toksvig and featuring antiques expert Eric Knowles. The series begins with four contenders putting their skill and knowledge to the test over four tough challenges at Towneley Hall in Lancashire. Delia Sinden from London specialises in 19th-century ironstone pottery; Paul Belban from Somerset collects Georgian tea caddies; Alf Hughes from Cheshire has a passion for Staffordshire pottery; and Lynn Hardman from Cumbria loves the early 20th-century style of Art Nouveau.

Richard Cole, a 25-year-old plasterer, specialises in Chinese ceramics; Anthony Pritchard from Hove has a love affair with English furniture and Londoner Stella Brooker collects antique dolls.