ONE of television's most popular programmes could be heading to north Suffolk as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.The Antiques Roadshow, which has attracted television audiences of millions as experts value family heirlooms brought by members of the public, wants to come to Southwold.

By David Lennard

ONE of television's most popular programmes could be heading to north Suffolk as part of its 30th anniversary celebrations.

The Antiques Roadshow, which has attracted television audiences of millions as experts value family heirlooms brought by members of the public, wants to come to Southwold.

Producers of the show are currently looking for “special” venues to host the show in 2007, the programme's 30th year.

The BBC has written to Southwold Town Council asking if the picturesque seaside town could be used to record a show during the late spring or early summer next year - suggesting the Market Place as a suitable venue.

Southwold Town Council is delighted about the approach, although councillors believe South Green could be a better place to film.

Deputy Mayor Geraldine Bryant said: “The letter from the BBC said producers had been impressed by the beautiful buildings around the Market Place but those around South Green are equally impressive.”

Town Clerk Jenny Hursell is writing to the BBC to say councillors would welcome the show to Southwold.

A regular jewellery expert on the show, Geoffrey Munn, who has a home in the town, said yesterday: “I can't think of a better location than Southwold. It is a town with spectacular perspectives, left, right and centre.

“Furthermore its history is dramatic and colourful; bloody fights at sea, fire, flood and even plague!

“There will be no shortage of material for the introduction because this little town on the edge of the North Sea has attracted all manner of people from William Shakespeare to William Morris, and Turner to Damien Hirst.”

The team of experts has made regular visits to East Anglia and the programme has been recorded at Bury St Edmunds and Lowestoft in Suffolk.

One of the programmes was recorded in the grounds of the 18th Century Georgian mansion Heveningham Hall, near Halesworth, in July 1993.

On an average day the filming attracts in the region of 1,500 people all hoping their heirloom will be well received by the various experts and given a high valuation.