Exclusive web chat

Paul Hayes... answers your questions about antiques

Paul Hayes from 'Cash in the Attic'

Read the web chat

Antiques expert

'Cash in the Attic' antiques expert Paul Hayes visited a Cheshire property developer who has amassed an amazing collection of antiques and collectibles in his mansion near Nantwich.

The collection is due to go under the hammer in 2007, but Inside Out has taken a sneak preview of Tony Hill's Aladdin's cave.

Paul went along to see what hidden gems will be on offer at the auction. Paul said:

"If Tony Hill's kitchen was anything to go by, I knew I was in for a treat.

"It was full of fascinating pieces - not all of them associated with cooking."

The next stop was the room which was almost a shrine to Mickey Mouse and other childhood favourites.

Much of Tony's collection comes from France.

Property development

Tony Hill bought Poole Hall 16 years ago for just under £850,000.

He has since acquired the surrounding farmland pushing the value up to around £6m.

It is no surprise that his day job is a "land development consultant".

With his children grown-up, Poole Hall is too big for Tony to live in on his own, so it is up for sale.

The main drawing room has remained largely untouched since the house was built almost 200 years ago.

Paul commented:

"If I thought the main house had a vast and varied collection it was nothing compared to what was in the old stable block.

"There was loads of everything - dozens of teas-maids, lamp stands, mannequins, toy robots, an old pinball machine and ... a stag's head.

"You name it, Tony Hill has collected it."

Links relating to this story:

• Cash in the Attic
• Car Booty
• Crimewatch UK

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Disabled badge scam

An investigation is underway in Manchester into a scam involving Blue Badges - the passes which allow free parking for the disabled.

More than 300 drivers are being prosecuted for using fake passes, or illegally using genuine ones.

The North West has more disabled badges than anywhere else in the country – 18,000 in Manchester alone.

Paul Talbot runs Mobilise, a North West charity looking after the interests of disabled drivers. He knows that Blue Badge fraud is not a victimless crime.

His members have had badges stolen, while car radios and navigation systems have been ignored. The fraudsters get a free ride, but disabled people still have to pay.

Every year about 6,000 Blue Badges are stolen from the cars of disabled people. These incidents - where only the badge is taken - reflect a growing black market in the sale and misuse of these permits.

The Blue Badge would save £28 a day in the centre of Manchester - or nearly £7,000 a year.

Able bodied people are buying fake badges for about £50 and parking almost anywhere they want ... for as long as they want ... for free.

Now they are being caught. Manchester City Council teams are targeting at least 300 drivers who have been either using fake passes - or misusing genuine ones.

The teams operate across the city, and can spend weeks tracking offenders.

In particular they wished to track down the driver of a Mercedes who they believe has been using the badge of a dead woman.

Links relating to this story:

• Blue Badge scheme
• Mobilise North West
• Manchester City Council

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites

Scooter mad

Scooter clubs in vogue in the North West

The generation which discovered the scooter - turned it into a style icon - rode off to real life with jobs and families, but never forgot their roots.

They are now older, heavier but probably no wiser.

There are clubs across the North West - and some can trace their heritage back to the days when even the scooters were new.

Scooters were launched in 1947 - designed as cheap mobility in war ravaged Europe.

And from their Italian roots, Vespas and Lambrettas developed loyal and diverse fans - from movie stars to Mods - and always a favourite of the ad agencies.

Chester has had a club since the mid sixties - in the days when Parkas, Lambrettas, Vespas, mini-skirts and too many mirrors were all considered subversive.

It disbanded in the late 1970s - but was recently reformed by some of the original members.

Another club Bolton Spartans - started in 1954, and is now one of the longest running in the country.

Links relating to this story:

• Motoring - On Two Wheels homepage
• Motorcycling homepage
• Video Nation: Scooter

The BBC is not responsible for the content of external websites