Antiques experts brought their battle to land the best buys to Cumbria as a television roadtrip parked up at an auction room.

Cameras from the BBC's Antiques Roadtrip zoomed in on the action at Carlisle's H&H Auction Rooms.

They focussed on sales action there as experts went head-to-head to see who'd could land the best price for their purchases.

Charles Hanson and Natasha Raskin were the professional buyers seeing whose keen eye could earn them a profit.

Viewers will have to wait to find out until later in the year - in the next series of the popular programme - to find out who the victor was.

But it added a little spice to proceedings in the sale room on Saturday last week as auctioneer Stephen Farthing put lots under the hammer.

"It was fantastic having them here," he says. "We didn't promote the fact they were going to be here.

"The added attention added a bit of a buzz and a different dimension to the sale.

"They were selling some interesting items and everyone got behind the spirit of the day."

It's understood that the day was considered a success by all involved.

  • It's a busy time for the team at H&H's Rosehill sale room.

Tomorrow, it will host a sale following which you could actually set sail.

Its boat and equipment sale takes place from 11am, with viewing from 9am.

And there looks like being something for everyone - from boats to fishing equipment.

H&H hosts about two such sales a year and Mr Farthing expects about 400 lots.

"It's a good opportunity for those who are looking to clear out their garages and have anything boating in there," he says.

"We've got lots that include a lake boat, a cruiser boat in need of restoration and about 200 lots of fishing rods and reels. There are fly rods and boat rods."

There are also ropes, an anchor, kayaks, life jackets and a vast range of items.

Some are new - or barely used - while other are in need of restoration.

Interest in the sale is far and wide.

"We've got a lot of fishermen coming from southern Scotland, from the north east, then we've all the fishermen from the Cumbrian lakes and coast too.

"People can see there are huge savings to be made in these items. It's just a great opportunity."

Meanwhile, there was a real success with a mystery painting covered in masking tape at H&H's weekly sale on Monday.

The religious artwork - an allegorical oil painting of Mary Magdalene - was understood to have been hidden for about a century and could be an old master.

It was expected to fetch about £1,000, but actually sold for just short of £3,000.

It's understood that the man who bought it plans on displaying it complete with his masking tape until he finds out who the artist who painted it was.