ANTIQUES Roadshow presenter Fiona Bruce arrived on a special West Somerset Railway steam train on Wednesday to front the popular BBC Sunday evening programme from Minehead railway station.

“The town and the beautiful surroundings are just as I remember them,” the presenter told the Free Press.

“North Hill is just as stunning after all these years.

“This is a special show for us because it’s 40 years to the day since the first Roadshow recording and it also marks my tenth year presenting the programme. And riding on a steam train was an unexpected treat.”

During the day, nearly 4,000 people stood patiently in heavy rain for up to five hours in queues up to 200 metres long, bringing their family heirlooms, household treasures and car-boot sale bargains for valuation by nearly 20 experts.

Crowds were supervised by 35 local volunteer stewards wearing distinctive straw hats with red ribbons: “We must keep everyone safe and happy, especially when there are moving trains around,” said BBC events manager Tiggi Trethowan.

“Everyone who gets here by 4.30pm will get an item valued, however long the queue is. We make that promise even if we have to stay to 8pm or later.”

Feature and photos in today’s Free Press.