The group, which celebrated its 40th anniversary last month, has been running since before the days of TV's Antiques Road Show.

It was founded by the late James Park MBE, a prominent Coventry furniture trader.

And its current president David Barby, known for offering his expertise on the television shows Flog It and Bargain Hunt, has been a member since its first meeting in 1968 when 125 people each paid 35 shillings to join the society.

He said: "The love of collecting never dies.

"The society is still going strong - we are looking for more younger people to come along and appreciate the items which have survived that shipwreck of time which are still out there to admire and get great pleasure from.

"They are not inanimate objects - when you handle them history keeps coming back.

"You think of the likes of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens and realise that these items are part of a voice of a past time."

Mr Barby has come across many wonderful and valuable items during his career including a miniature dating back to the Elizabethan period, which was found in the back of someone's drawer and sold for £16,000.

There was also a piece of Minton china from 1820 which featured a landscape of Warwick Castle.

Mr Barby has been one of the many speakers to address members of the club over the years.

In 1978 the club was visited by Sotherby's head of valuations, Philip J Wadsworth, when they held their 10th anniversary dinner at the old Regent Hotel in Leamington - where the group was based until 2002.

Day trips to stately homes and viewing of private collections gives members a chance to hone their antiques know-how.

But not all are avid collectors. Some just like to learn more about the past and to socialise.

The club's vice chairman Sheila Fitzgerald said: "The friendships we have built up over the years have been one of the most important aspects of the club.

"We are all interested in the same thing so it means we have a lot to talk about."

Among the most valuable items Miss Fitzgerald has owned was a copy of a piece by the Italian Renaissance artist Titian which was made in the 19th century and cost £400 when she bought it 30 years ago.

The 78-year-old Kenilworth resident has since travelled to Florence to see the original work.

Miss Fitzgerald said: "The club is for people who enjoy knowledge and treasures of the past - new members are always welcome."

The antiques society meet at Warwick University's sports pavilion on the second Monday of each month and some of its 40 members come as far as 40 miles to attend.

Call 779475 or email Mwantiquesoc@aol.com