GOING for a Song star Eric Knowles opened an antiques fair in Newport yesterday and appraised dozens of items brought to him by the public.

This was his second visit to the fair which started last year at St Joseph's Hospital grounds in aid of St Anne's Hospice.

Apart from numerous TV appearances, especially on the BBC's Going for a Song and Antiques Road Show, Mr Knowles is also a successful author, lecturer and a director of Bonhams and Brooks Auction House, Chelsea.

Mr Knowles said: "I got involved with this event when I met Councillor Laura Buchanan at a lecture I gave in Caerleon three years ago. I think it's a really good cause and I am happy to support it."

Members of the public paid £2 each to have their objects valued with all the money raised going to the Hospice. Mr Knowles said: "I have seen some interesting pieces this morning. The one that stands out as having the most potential value was a 1895 Blickensderfer typewriter. I have seen similar items go for four figure sums in the past.

"Antique typewriters are quite an obscure field and I don't know enough to make a really solid judgement, but I would say it was probably worth hundreds of pounds if not more.

"But before everyone starts digging out their old Remingtons I would stress that the vast majority of typewriters are worth less than £10."

Last year the event raised £4,000 for the St Anne's Hospice, Gwent's only in- patient hospice which provides a high level of free care for patients with life-threatening illnesses. This year 30 experienced dealers, some travelling from as far as the West Midlands supported the event, which did a brisk trade.

* In the picture: Eric Knowles advises Jean Campbell, of Newport, and her daughter, Ann Marie Brown, that they had a valuable typewriter.