AN expert from the Antiques Roadshow has joined the team at a Salisbury saleroom.

Clock valuer and dealer Richard Price will act as a consultant at Woolley & Wallis, helping with valuations, sales and cataloguing.

Richard, who lives in Dorset, has been appearing on the BBC programme for 25 years, always wearing one of his clock-patterned ties.

But clocks were not his first love.

He began his working life a long-haul pilot for British Airways, and for many years combined flying with advising as a specialist at auctioneers Bonhams, as well as dealing in clocks and watches.

The combination of roles worked well. “If I bought any stock when I was abroad, the cockpit was an ideal way to transport it safely back to the UK,” he said. “It wasn’t unknown for any large clocks to be strapped into the third pilot’s seat when I was flying for BA. I don’t think you’d get away with it today, though.”

He is still a highly respected dealer, exhibiting at Olympia and other fairs.

Woolley and Wallis chairman Paul Viney said: “I am delighted that Richard, who has been a personal friend for many years, has joined us.

“ We both feel that there is a lot of potential for us in clocks, and I've no doubt that Richard's knowledge, enthusiasm and experience will greatly enhance our clock department."