Ricky Tomlinson and Michael Starke turn heads at Stourbridge auction

The actors, who appeared together in the Liverpool soap Brookside, enjoyed a TV reunion when they took part in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.

The pair good-humouredly competed with each other to make the most money at auction after scouring antique shops to find treasures at bargain prices. The programme will be screened later this year.

Ricky, now 77, who played Bobby Grant in the long-running soap, and Michael, 59, who played window cleaner Thomas 'Sinbad' Sweeney, were at Fieldings Auctioneers in Mill Race Lane on Saturday where their chosen antiques went under the hammer.

Ricky, best known for playing Jim in The Royle Family, said: "We've been good friends for a long time so it was great to meet up on the show and work together again. We've had a lot of fun."

Michael said he had learned a lot about antiques during filming and the pair had enjoyed themselves so much they were thinking of pitching an idea for a 'Ricky and Micky' road trip series checking out pubs across the country.

The celebrities were paired with programme experts Catherine Southern and Marji Cooper who travelled around with them and advised each on their purchases.

Former Sotheby's valuer Catherine, who guided Ricky, said: "They were both great fun. Ricky showed quite a passion for antiques and got more competitive as time went on. He'd say 'Come on our kid, we're got to beat them'."

Antiques consultant Marji said Michael displayed less awareness of a vintage bargain but revealed an unusual interest in antique microscopes.

"They were a couple of great characters with a wonderful Liverpool wit," she said.

The celebrities, both known for their support for Labour, welcomed the party's performance in last week's general election. Michael Starke quipped: "We might see one or two Tory policies up for auction today."

Readers will have to wait until the BBC2 show, narrated by Tim Wonnacott, is broadcast to find out how the pair got on at the Stourbridge auction.