Antiques galore at fair

Antiques with an estimated value of £1 million will be featured in a major two-day antiques fair near Stafford.

Staffordshire antiques dealers will join hundreds of others from all over the UK at the County Showground this weekend for the event, which is now in its 34th year.

"Demand for antiques has varied over the years and for many local dealers trade has been a little quiet for the past couple of seasons," said Max James of organisers West Midland Fairs.

"But this has meant prices have become very competitive and there are bargains around, especially in furniture, which is now relatively inexpensive compared with five years ago."

"New generations of collectors don't always want Victoriana. They often relate to later periods such as the Art Deco of the 1930s or even post-war modernism from the 1950s, so we try to cater for everyone. It is still possible to find interesting items for as little as £1, though the top pieces can cost hundreds or even thousands of pounds."

The company has just announced its 2007 Stafford dates, beginning with a major two-day event in February. The full list of dates can be found at www.staffordantiquesfairs.co.uk.

There is still one more of its events to come this year at the showground - a three-day fair on December 30 and 31 and January 1.

This weekend's fair is open from 10am to 5pm on Saturday and Sunday. Admission is £2.50 for adults and free for children. The event also helps raise thousands of pounds for local animal and cancer charities.