Uncovering some hidden gems

Up to £48bn worth of unused items are said to be languishing in UK homes – with millions in antiques, collectables and jewellery. Maybe Antiques Roadshow’s Adam Schoon could help uncover yours, says Charles Hanson

- Charles Hanson

WITH petrol prices spiralling and inflation set to soar, few of us would not welcome a windfall this summer. And yours could be just days away.

Research suggests Brits could be sitting on billions of pounds worth of unconsidered items, with attics being one of the most overlooked sources of hidden value.

Individual homes are thought to harbour an average of £7,200 of jewellery and £6,400 of antique furniture. That's a total of £13,600 per household.

My colleague Adam Schoon from BBC's Antiques Roadshow has been doing his own ‘Hansons Roadshow’ in recent months, unearthing treasures at salerooms around the UK.