BURY Rotary Club is delving into the fascinating world of antiques for its latest charity effort.

And it has called in a top Sotheby's expert and TV personality to front the special event.

David Battie, a regular on the popular TV antiques programme and a director of Sotheby's, will stage his own one-man show at Bury Town Hall's Elizabethan Suite on Wednesday, October 1.

People attending will have the chance to have their own treasures and curios examined and valued by him.

Tickets for the event, which also includes a buffet, are strictly limited and every ticket holder will be able to take along one item each for discusison and evaluation.

The number of items handled will depend on the time available. Paintings, jewellery and furniture are excluded.

A graphic designer before starting a new career at Sotheby's in 1967, Mr Battie has worked in the departments of ceramics and Oriental arts, being appointed a director in 1976.

He has appeared on the Antiques Roadshow since the first series in 1979, is a regular on The Great Antiques Hunt and makes numerous other TV and radio programmes.

He also lectures on a wide range of topics in this country and abroad to antique societies, business executives and other groups.

Mr Battie is a specialist author on 19th and 20th century British pottery and porcelain and edits Sotheby's Encyclopedia of Porcelain as well as co-editing the companion encyclopedia on glass.

In view of the popularity of the TV antiques programme, the Rotary Club is hoping the event, which begins at 7.30pm, will have widespread appeal. Already, there has been a big demand for tickets.

A buffet meal is included in the £15 entry price. Tickets can be obtained from Yates and Suddell, Opticians, Minden Parade, Bury.

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