Antiques Roadshow expert says 'my knees are shaking' over rare £1,800 item

An Antiques Roadshow expert admitted "my knees were shaking" after seeing a rare item. The BBC programme headed to Hill of Tarvit in Fife for Sunday's episode, where expert Mark Hill examined an 18th century microscope. "When I saw this box coming down the queue, I was sitting down but my knees started to shake, because I know what's in this box," he admitted.

Taking a closer look, he admired: "What a beauty." The guest revealed it was a family heirloom, handed down to her because, she believes, she works in science now.

"It's older than I thought it was, it was my grandparents' and they left it to me," she explained.

"My grandparents had it for longer than my mum was alive, I don't really know the story behind it."

Mark explained how this microscope was developed, praising: "It's a wonderful instrument, it really makes my heart skip a beat."

He then asked the guest: "You work in a laboratory, have you ever tried using it?"

"I have not," she admitted, adding: "I've been a big chicken, afraid to do any damage do it.

"But I do use a microscope at least once a month at work. Maybe I will give it a work."

Offering a valuation, Mark shared: "This is a bit of a living room decoration, it's a cureo in your house, connected to your career.

"It's also £1,200 to £1,800."

"It's more than I expected," the guest replied.

Antiques Roadshow airs Sundays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer.