DOZENS of visitors brought some of their most treasured possessions to an Antiques Roadshow-style valuation day and boosted Operation Covert to the tune of £312.

Around 100 people had their items assessed by a team of experts from Halls Fine Art at Kidderminster Town Hall and our appeal picked up the £1.50 charge for each valuation.

One of the most exciting items discovered was a 1902 vase in cornflower blue pattern signed by William Moorcroft, which is to be further researched but is believed to worth up to £800.

It belonged to Norma Allsop, of Stourport, who said it had been in the family for three generations. "It was a big surprise and also brilliant to hear that it was so valuable," she added.

Sheila Gale, of Kidderminster, was also delighted to hear that her collection of theatre autograph books could be worth around £500.

Many of the autographs, which include Laurel and Hardy in 1948, Richard Attenborough and George Formby, were collected when she was an usherette at Dudley Hippodrome from the age of 14.

She went on to work in Kidderminster Playhouse before moving to the Isle of Wight where she worked in the box office at Ryde Theatre.

John Everley, of Kidderminster, was surprised to discover that a Robertson's Golly teapot, which he bought in a charity shop for £1.50 about six years ago, was valued at around £100.

Former county councillor Clifford Whitaker, of Bewdley Hill, brought a few examples of a fascinating collection of 1,000 photographic plates and prints of Kidderminster and surrounding area dating to between 1900-1920.

He said he salvaged the plates when he discovered them being dumped during property development in the town some years ago. Sadly, he managed to save only half of those being abandoned.

"It was a very successful event for a worthy cause and we were delighted that so many people braved the poor weather to attend during the day," said Halls director, Jeremy Lamond, a ceramics, furniture, silver and toys expert.

Also giving valuations on the day were William Lacey, a paintings and books specialist, and Christina Trevanion, who is a jewellery and collectable ceramics expert.

Shuttle/Times and News editor, Clive Joyce, said: "We are so grateful to the Halls experts for giving their valuable time to support our appeal.

"The response was very good and we hope to hold another valuation day in the New Year because so many people have asked if the event will be repeated."