­THE crowds flocked to Buckland Abbey last Thursday, when the BBC's Flog It television team came to record a series of shows for its popular antique programme.

It was a perfect day for filming with the sun shining and the grounds of Sir Francis Drake's former residence looking resplendent.

Hundreds of people queued for their chance to have their treasured antiques and family heirlooms inspected by presenter Paul Martin and his team of experts.

For those unfamiliar with the series, Paul and his colleagues give a free valuation of items brought in, so their owners can consider 'flogging' them at public auction.

They have had some spectacular successes in the past, with items such as a small cream jug which sold at auction for £1,300, and a ceramic bowl, bought for £4 at car boot sale, which went for £1,500.

Paul told the Times: 'Could there be a backdrop any better on a day like this — the home of Sir Francis Drake with its traditional tithe barn, superb gardens and a beautiful day like today — it would be hard to beat.

'There could be around 600 people here today, which is fantastic.

'Each person has something to show us and I hope we can help find some valuable items to take to auction and get a good price for them.'

Antique expert David Barby said: 'What a superb turnout on a really splendid day — we are truly blessed with such a marvellous location, we could not have asked for anything better than this.'

Mr Barby. who has been on the show since it first broadcast, was particularly interested in a three items belonging to Times advertising representative Carol Garbett – including a parasol handle made of silver, which she believes could possibly date back to the 16th century and is of Indonesian origin.

She and her dad Peter also brought along a pair of interesting snuff boxes.

Carol told David that she bought the silver handle at an antique fair in Cornwall for £4.

He told her she certainly had a bargain and asked her if she would like to bring it to him before the cameras later in the day.

Behind Carol was Wendy Doidge from Whitchurch and her grandaughter Emily Harland from Maristow.

Wendy brought in a school maths exercise book dating back to 1794! It was passed on by her mother, who was given it by an elderly lady who she looked after.

Wendy said: 'I believe the school book belonged to a boy who went on to become an architect in Bath.

'He was also a good artist and we happen to have a painting of his at home.

'I just would like to find out more about the book and hope it can be conserved.'

Emily, 14, a student at Tavistock College, also brought along a couple of equine match box covers which she had just brought the previous weekend at a bric-a-brac stall at the Whitchurch and Sampford Spiney Sheepdog trial.

Among the others waiting in line for a valuation of their items were Julia Geogheghan from Tavistock who brought along a bugle from the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders and a rather well preserved silver sugar shaker.

Patrick White from Rising Sun, Harrowbarrow, brought along a beautiful figurine and some Copeland and Barrett, limited edition plates while his wife Hilary, brought along a 1950s tenor sax belonging to daughter Sophie.

Those items chosen and which were were filmed at Buckland Abbey will now be taken to Eldred's auctions in Plymouth on Tuesday, September 27.

The sequences from the Buckland Abbey Flog It! will be shown on BBC television over possibly four editions, sometime in the New Year.