THEY came clutching everything from teddy bears to Japanese Samurai swords. Among the quirky items was a Victorian bulldog moneybox. Whether bringing “junk” from the attic or treasured family heirlooms, all were there to take part in the magic that is BBC One’s popular Flog It.

The antiques programme presented by Paul Martin held a free evaluation day at Ushaw College, the former Catholic seminary near Durham, with experts Catherine Southon, James Lewis and David Fletcher on hand to assess objects.

John Bushby, 71, who travelled from his home in Gillamoor, North Yorkshire, with a lifesize eagle crafted out of pine, said: “I bought it 40 years ago. My wife hates it. I’m not bothered either way if it’s chosen for auction, it’s just nice being here.”

Tony Swindale, 74, of Aycliffe Village, brought a large wall mirror valued between £80-£120. He said: “A friend of mine died and his widow sold off the contents and I bought it. I’ve got cancer and I thought I would get rid of some stuff.

“I thought I would come and have a nice day out - and they have accepted it for sale.”

Roy Yallop, 67, a volunteer at St Cuthbert’s Hospice said he had bought eight albums with photographs of steam engines that had been left behind.

He said: “I paid £15 for them because I didn’t want them to go to the skip. Then David Fletcher saw them and said ‘I’m interested in that’. Any money I get from the sale will go to the hospice.”

Audrey Schofield, 75, of Langley Park, had a collection of Rupert the Bear books she had bought to read to my children more than 40 years ago.

She said: “You know as you get older and you are hoarding there is going to be too much junk (for someone else) to clean when you peg out.”

Antiques expert James Lewis: “What we have seen is really interesting and of lovely quality.

“There have been some Japanese Samurai swords from the early 20th century and a wonderful poster someone found in a morgue, can you believe it. We have also had some wonderful silver gilt spoons from France.”

Mr Martin said: “We have had a good show and hope to make four shows. We have got some good stories and some good prices – it’s been a good Flog It day.”