By Suzi Dixon

suzi.dixon@newsquest.co.uk

@suzidixon77

CHIPPENHAM residents can watch potential antiques go under the hammer live, as BBC One’s Street Auction films in the town on Saturday, May 20.

Paul Martin of Flog It! fame will host the street party and ‘pop up’ auction of unwanted and unloved items outside Redland School, on the green. Stalls selling cakes, bric-a-brac, books and plants will all add to the money being raised for local good causes and, at the end of the event, the grand total will be announced.

The new series is touring the UK to find the town who can raise the most money for good causes, together a street and a community for a massive fundraising effort.

“We’re really looking forward to it,” said Mr Martin. “We’ve found some great things in sheds and attics. The wonderful people in Chippenham have already donated some fantastic items.

“We hope lots of people will come along on the day and bring something to sell for the fund.”

The street party and filming starts at 1.30pm, with Mr Martin starting the auction at 3.30pm.

An auction at Wessex Auction Rooms will also be filmed by the BBC on Friday from 10am onwards and director Martin Hughes wants people to come along and experience an auction for the first time.

"There is a perception that auctions are snobby and close knit and it is not. We want people to come down and experience auctions for the first time and have a good time."