IF YOU are interested in antiques and listening to local radio stations, the chances are that you will have come across David Harper.

But as well as earning himself a reputation in the media, Mr Harper, whose middle name is Kingsley, is the managing director of Kingsley Antiques, which has recently relocated to a larger showroom and work premises.

The firm was previously on The Bank and in Newgate, in the centre of Barnard Castle, an area renowned for its quality of similar shops, but a dearth of parking facilities and the need for more space has taken him to nearby Stainton Grove, where he has revamped the former Houghall College building to show off his pieces. He also hopes to open a showroom in Grange Road, Darlington.

Mr Harper has dealt in antiques for as long as he can remember, but now, with the help of Jo Singleton, "a fantastic upholsterer I have known for years," he is keen to promote the restoration side of the business. He has about 30 antique sofas and chairs in stock, all ready to be restored to prospective customers' requirements.

"No matter how shabby, we can make them look as good as new," said Mr Harper. "We use coil springs and feathers, and give a guarantee such as you would get with a new sofa."

He is also moving into making bespoke furniture, which he calls the antiques of the future.

"We will be producing new suites made just like they were 200 years ago, using beechwood frames, French-polished mahogany legs and brass castors," he said. "They will be stamped Kingsley & Co and cost no more than a good quality modern-built equivalent."

Depending on the fabric chosen, bespoke suites can be made for as little as £2,500, a price many would consider worth paying for something that Mr Harper guarantees will last "forever".

He added: "There are only a handful of companies making sofas this way, but I feel we are moving away from the throwaway society where people replace their suites every four or five years. Ours work out cheaper in the long run."

Believing in starting at the top, Mr Harper is currently in talks with Harrods, which has expressed a strong interest in stocking the bespoke range.

But although the business is open Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, he also has a burgeoning career with the BBC and can often be heard giving advice about antiques on Radios Cumbria, Newcastle, Cleveland and York.

"I was approached by Radio Cleveland initially," said Mr Harper. "That worked well and I and another local dealer, Bob Jordan, do regular morning shows, giving valuations, advice and answering questions. People describe the pieces to us, and we are usually able to pinpoint exactly what they have."

He likes to give nice surprises to callers who have no idea they have anything valuable.

"A pair of vases came to light on one show," he said. "The owner thought they were worth only a few pounds and was delighted to hear they were George Jones majolica and worth about £6,000."

Another programme brought to light a propeller from pioneering airwoman Amy Johnson's aircraft, but he was reluctant to put a value on it, feeling that no price would be too high if the right person wanted it.

Mr Harper is also a consultant on the BBC daytime television show, Cash in the Attic, and has travelled to Manchester and Liverpool to make valuations in people's homes before the TV crew moves in.

And, crossing all spectra of the media, he also writes regular columns on antiques for a couple of lifestyle magazines.

While managing to keep all these balls in the air, he is still selling at antique fairs and making regular buying trips. Yet he would like to get a greater foothold in television.

"I don't want to be the next David Dickinson," he said. "But there is such an interest in homes and antiques at the moment that I think there is room for me."

On his own advertising pamphlets, he invites media moguls who want to pay him lots of money to appear on their shows to contact him on 01833 695959.

Others wishing further information about the business can visit the web site at www.kingsleyantiques.co.uk