Helston antique fans tuning into cult TV show Bargain Hunt next week will be able to spot a couple of familiar faces.

Former assistant curator of Helston Museum, Tracey Clowes, and ex town councillor Martine Knight will be appearing in the episode due to air on Friday, July 27, having taken part in filming during April.

Beloved by retirees and students alike thanks to its lunchtime viewing slot, the BBC One programme pits two teams against each other to buy antique and second hand items for the lowest price possible, from a set budget. These are later sold at auction, with the aim of winning the team a profit that they get to keep.

Having passed an audition in Exeter last autumn, friends Martine and Tracey found themselves at the Royal Cornwall showground at 8am on Easter Saturday, ready for filming at an antiques fair being held there.

The pair were partnered with expert Tim Weeks, who advised them through the process of buying their pieces.

Tracey said: "The whole filming process was fascinating - the continuity shots, remembering who touched what and in what order.

"I completely forgot we were being filmed as it was so relaxed. There were no worries that you were likely not to know the answer to the next question - in fact knowledge for me never came into it. You buy because something takes your eye, either beautiful or otherwise.

"Even though we have different tastes when it comes to buying it all added to the fun and we are still firm friends."

Martine agreed: "The buying time flies by and you really do only have one hour.

"We obviously can't give away any details of what happened, but I will say that we didn't agree on all the purchases."

Two weeks later the pair faced an even earlier start to get themselves to a sale room in Ottery St Mary, Devon, for 8am, ready for the auction segment of the programme.

While the end result can't be revealed, Tracey and Martine both entered in the hope of winning some cash for their respective projects. Tracey was keen to win a Golden Gavel and to put any winnings towards Constantine's Christmas lights, while Martine said anything she won would go towards buying a small patch of woodland in memory of her son David Hawke-Treneer.

Friends and family won’t have to wait much longer to find out though and the pair are eagerly awaiting the showing, with Martine adding: "We have absolutely no idea how the masses of film they shot of us will be edited."