Traders turned up in numbers as Oswestry Antique and Collectors Fair returned at the weekend along with some familiar faces.

BBC’s cameras and production crews were in attendance at Oswestry Showground to mark the return of the event by filming for an episode of Bargain Hunt across the two days.

Well-known presenter Natasha Raskin guided the cameras around the fair, while experts including Ben Cooper spent time with the competing teams to offer advice when purchasing some of the goods on offer.

On the red team were David Edwards and Carol Austin, while the blue team consisted of Sara Pardoe and Frank Morvan.

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The presence of the cameras added to the buzz around the showground as traders welcomed buyers from far and wide with new restrictions in place in line with Covid-19 guidance.

Trader Jane Williams, of Williams Antiques in Anglesey, was happy to see the event go ahead after months of uncertainty over antiques fairs.

She said: “It’s very important to have an event like this go ahead, especially with the current situation in mind.

“Being in trade we have been very restricted about where we could trade [over the past few months], but this has been a really successful fair.

“I think I’d be speaking on behalf of everyone by saying we’ve been pleasantly surprised with the turnout.

“Certainly with the traders, and with buyers too. I’m really happy with the way the day has gone and hopefully it will happen again soon enough.”

Jane’s stall was one which caught the eye of the Bargain Hunt contestants, and was pleased the show was being filmed in Oswestry.

“It is really good to see their enthusiasm,” she said. “And it’s nice for traders here to have the exposure.

“It is great exposure for the event as well, and hopefully it will encourage people to come to the event next year.

“To be able to show there are some really good, genuine antiques on offer here, is great.”

She also gave thanks to event organisers, JOS Events, for making the day run smoothly and safely.

Jane said: “We’d like to thank JOS Events for their hard work to make everything safe.

“There’s plenty of room, the facilities are very good and everything is very safe here.

“We’ve supported JOS Events before Covid, and will continue to do so.”