David Dickinson has spent the day at Dee, Atkinson and Harrison's Exchange Saleroom, on Exchange Street filming an episode of his hit daytime TV show Dickinson's Real Deal.

David Dickinson, dressed in one of his trademark pin-stripe suits, said he was impressed with what he had seen of the town.

"We went first of all to Scarborough for the dealers day and the auction is here so this is my first time in Driffield. From what I have seen it's very interesting, a very nice little place," he said.

The auction followed an earlier dealers day held in Scarborough during which vendors were given the chance to sell their items to a specialist dealer on the spot or take a gamble at auction.

"The dealers day is interesting because you never know what's going to turn up and that's exciting. In the auction seeing the results of those pieces can also be quite a surprise sometimes or sometimes disappointing, it can be quite a gamble," Mr Dickinson added.

Beth Veitch, from Whitby, was auctioning off a ladies Edwardian purse for the programme which sold for £90.

Mrs Veitch said: "I do go to auctions just to look and be curious, but I rarely buy anything. I would have liked to have come when it was viewing because it is difficult to have a look on auction day."

Also there to see his autograph collections go under the hammer was celebrity spotter Paul Bradley who took his four books home with him again after they failed to make the reserve price.

The auction attracted scores of people from across the region on the look out for some real "bobby dazzlers" or simply hoping to rub shoulders with the celebrity antiques enthusiast.

Stephen Colley, of Pickering was on the look out for some items to sell in his shop specialising in militaria.

"We go all over doing different auctions and sales obviously buying stuff for the shop. I was told David Dickinson would be here today but I'm used to it now. I've seen him at auctions before," he said.

Shirley Newton-Taylor, of Hornsea, was keeping her eyes peeled for pieces of jewellery going under the hammer:"I come here quite regularly because my husband is an auctioneer and valuer so he knows them all here but I didn't know David Dickinson would be here today, it's quite a surprise," she said.

sara.beach@yrnltd.co.uk