A LEYLAND author has been filmed for the Antique Roadshow after discovering hidden treasures while researching a book about Farington Cotton Mill.

Joan Langford, 63, was exploring the history of the mill, built in 1833, when she stumbled upon the old wage tins used by workers.

The tins were owned by the proprietors of Centurion Furniture Shop, based on part of the site of the old mill. When Joan approached them for information about the mill, demolished in 1971, they gave them to her.

Joan decided to take them along to one of the roadshows, which will be broadcast in February next year.

Joan, a retired regional organiser for Children in Need, said that she had a chat with the programme's presenter Michael Aspel. She showed him the tiny tins and also got an old penny out to compare the size. The mother-of-two said: "He joked that the penny was the equivalent to his wage packet. I didn't get a valuation as they had no idea how much they were worth as they'd never seen anything like them before."

Joan, of Stanifield Lane, was inspired to research the book entitled, The History of Farington Cotton Mill, when she moved to the area eight years ago. She said: "I was trying to find out about my house, which was built in 1906. I struggled to find any information on the area and after working on it for some time, my family suggested I write a book."

Joan was nervous about how it would be received as she was not born and bred in Leyland but said the reception has been fantastic.

She has even traced the family history of the mill. By a twist of fate, the great-grandson of the builder William Bashall, was searching on the internet one evening when he discovered Joan's work. Ian Bashall, who now lives in Swindon, wrote to Joan and invited her to his family home for a long weekend.

Joan said: "It was marvellous. I've made a link and have used lots of the photographs from Ian and other Leyland residents I've met."