FILMING for a popular celebrity version of a BBC television show about antiques took place this morning.

The cast and crew of Celebrity Antiques Road Trip were at the antiques centre at the Bocking Arts Theatre as shooting for the new series of the BBC One show begins.

James Braxton was the expert at the Braintree centre, in Bocking End, and the celebrity taking part in the filming alongside him was, Perri Kiely, a member of dance troupe Diversity.

It was the second time the antiques centre is visited by the show and Tom Bosher, who runs the centre, said he had been looking forward to the filming.

He explained: “Of course it’s something to be excited about because it’s extremely good news for the business.

“We’re going to be appearing on the BBC - there aren’t may better ways for us to get our name out there.

“We had them come along and do some filming last year and off the back of that we had lots of people coming along to see us.

“They said they thought they’d pay us a visit because they had seen the show, so hopefully we’ll see the same thing again this year and we can bring some more people through the door.”

The centre is a charity which is run by a team of volunteers and has two rooms full of antiques and retro items.

All of its stock is bought from people in the area and the volunteers are available to do home visits and experts can do free valuations.

Celebrity Antiques Road Trip sees experts in the field pair up with a celebrity each for a road trip around the country as they go on the hunt for hidden gems.

At the end of the episode they see which pair is able to make the most money at auction based on what they bought.

Ahead of filming, Mr Bosher, said he wasn’t nervous about appearing in front of the cameras and warned he was ready to drive a hard bargain.

He explained: “I wouldn’t say I’m nervous about it, the main feeling is excitement really.

“You’re mindful that it is part of a TV show but the producers tell you to treat them just as though they are any other customer.

“I’ll be ready to haggle with them, I’ll be firm but fair.”

The show is likely to air later this year and the centre is open from 10am until 4pm from Wednesday until Saturday every week.