TV'S Salvage Hunters were in their element when they were called to the former yard of vintage car and steam fanatic Tim Martin who died last year aged 74.

Drew Pritchard from the Quest programme was allowed to sort through Mr Martin's incredible collection of all things motorised before it was taken away to be catalogued by auctioneer Richard Edmonds in Chippenham.

Most of the items will come under the hammer in Allington, near Chippenham from March 2 to 4 but viewers will able to have an insight into the life of Mr Martin, who ran his business from Bratton, when the Salvage Hunters episode is aired later this month. (February)

Mr Martin's daughter Nadine Mortimer from Market Lavington said: "My dad ran his business from Pondcroft in Bratton from the 1970s until he retired a few years ago but stayed there making gates and doing up his cars.

"He did MOTs and servicing but his love was vintage cars and anything steam. But he was no trainspotter. He owned a massive collection of things from cars, motor cycles, tin signs, petrol pumps, train memorabilia and every thing in between. In fact we took away two lorry loads of collectables and car parts, bikes,motor cycles and five vintage cars."

Mr Martin left three children Robin, Vicki and Nadine and each of them kept something to remember him by. Mrs Mortimer said: "Vicki is clearing her part of the land and reinvesting her inheritance in an art gallery and a center for creativity. The guards van and train carriage are to be restored and used as office space and shop."

One of the top lots at the auction is expected to be a 1920s Lancia Lambda which was originally owned by Mr Martin's step-father Air Commodore Buckle who started the Lancia owners club.

Mrs Mortimer said the visit by Salvage Hunters was exciting. She said: "This was a great day with the TV crew. We had not touched the garage or removed anything before they came as we thought it would be a great record of how it was before he died on April 21,2016. It will air at the end of February."

She described her father as a fun character who loved the local countryside. She said: "He took us all over the Westbury hills in his beloved Jeep and the Dorset stream fair was a great weekend away for us too .

"It was a long way in the Jeep when we were little girls and a touch chilly but we loved it. As we got older he was very soft and let us roam free so we enjoyed a fabulous outside childhood.

"My brother spent every moment with him and was over the garage all his life. My dad taught him to ride bikes then motor cycles and restoring things. Vicki and I had the vintage cars at our weddings too. I had my wedding reception at the garage after much clearing up."

For more information on the sale go to richardedmondsauctions.com