Tucked away in a small village near Blackwood is a delightful old curiosity shop which has stood the test of time.

In a trade where dealers constantly seek greener grass, coming and going frequently, sixty-four-year-old Gerald Barber has been opening his doors to customers in his Fleur-de-Lys Antiques shop in High Street for twenty five years.

The shop is a gem to collectors and browsers. Dressers, china cabinets and shelves groan under an impressive array of china. Tea sets, crestware and Wade Whimsies share space with the more expensive Royal Doulton or Coalport figurines, Beswick dogs and Hummel children figures.

It's a love of antiques that motivates him. "Every house (clearance), or every thing is interesting and challenging. Every one is a mystery. It's the love of the object, the interest. It gets the old adrenaline flowing, all these nice things."

China prices range from a £4 Whimsie to the £325 Doulton 'My Teddy' figure.

His most expensive piece of furniture is a nineteenth century pitched pine glazed bookcase (£895), followed by a late Victorian carved mahogany mirror-backed sideboard priced at £485.

"I get people from all over the country. I've been here a long time, I suppose that's something to do with it. I mean they've been from America. They've been from various parts of the globe and come here by word of mouth."

The bug bit while helping an acquaintance carry out a house clearance in West Wales. He then had a stall in all weathers in Blackwood market selling bric-a-brac, china and books before acquiring the shop in Fleur-de-Lys.

He doesn't just carry out house clearances, go on house calls or sell and chat with customers. "There's a lot of work that goes on behind the scenes, all the cleaning and polishing and restoration to do and research - that's the most important part of the system, definitely."

And there are changing trends and markets to contend with. "The whole business has changed a lot. There are things we were selling even five years ago that are not selling today, like a lot of furniture, the furniture has changed dramatically. You could sell big sideboards, big dressers, that sort of thing years ago but now they don't sell." There has also been declining prosperity. "Generally the coal mines and the factories have shut down in South Wales so there's not the money about either."

"You've only got to look at how many antiques shops have closed down and you've got to be very competitive or you'll be next, so we try and cater for all needs and that's how we survive."

But he said: "I love it. I wouldn't do anything else. I can't see me retiring yet!"

You can contact Gerald on 01443 835325. Catherine Davies