MILITARY heirlooms or shotguns passed down through generations are being sought for an 'Antiques Roadshow' style fair.

Holt's auction house is urging people to bring in any guns, fishing equipment or militaria gathering dust in people's attics to a fair at Lumley Castle, near Chester-le-Street, on Tuesday.

The auction house regularly holds such events around the country and thinks that many people in the region may be unwittingly sitting on undiscovered treasures. In recent auctions in the North, a hammer gun by Newcastle gunsmith J Burnard has sold for more than £3,000 while a fishing reel by Hardy of Alnwick went for £1,800.

The auction also brings the firearms under proper security and licensing.

Commander Bill Sidgewick, from Holt's, said: "Periodically people find an old shotgun or pistol in the attic. It probably belonged to grandfather or great grandfather and is not on anyone's licence.

"These firearms can be taken to the local police station and handed in for destruction, throwing away serious money.

"Once a weapon has been given to the police, it has to be broken up. There is another option - turn it into cash."

Anyone wanting to have a piece valued contact Holt's in advance on (01670) 787572.