ANTIQUES Roadshow expert Marc Allum was at Devizes School on Saturday to take people on a guided tour of its cellars to raise money to restore a giant oil painting he helped put in the TV spotlight.

A poll among visitors to the open day voted Mr Allum's underground trip the highlight of the event which raised £570 towards the fund to clean the Maria Heathcote painting.

This with a private donation of £500 which was made on Friday means the school is now more than half way towards its target.

Head teacher Phil Bevan was delighted with the response to the day and pleased he was able to meet past pupils and parents.

School publicity officer Karen Sims said: "We had an amazing day. Lots of people came through the doors. We think at least 250 people attended and this included many ex staff and students.

"A number of former students brought in their own fantastic photos from yesteryear. Our cellar tours with Marc Allum proved to be very popular, we took 127 people on guided tours. Marc worked extremely hard and hardly took a break. Due to the popularity of the tours we added two more to the list, one during lunch and another at 3pm."

Mr Allun from Chippenham said: "I had a great day but was exhausted at the end of it."

The event proved so popular that the school is now considering making it a regular event and will also hold a celebration once the painting has been restored.

The painting, spotted at the school by Mr Allum, caused quite a stir when it appeared on Antiques Roadshow last autumn after filming at Bowood last summer. But it is thought it has not been cleaned since it was painted in the 18th century.

Mr Allum said: "I love the idea that the school children and staff essentially operate on a day to day basis in a historic old building almost oblivious to the history beneath their feet and up in the attics, all observed by the ghost of Maria Heathcote regally looking down from her canvas in the entrance hall."

As well as the cellars visitors were able to tour the original house which still has wallpaper from when servants lived and slept there. An exhibition of old photographs and year books was on display to help bring back memories for ex pupils and staff. Many of these were discovered when former head Malcolm Irons cleared out his office.