An Antiques Roadshow guest left viewers shocked after he refused to sell an item he believed was "worthless" after being told it's actually worth six-figures.
BBC presenter and antiques expert Mark Smith returned to Portchester Castle in Hampshire and was delighted with the "unique moment" he was able to value an item he had never came across on the show before.
A couple has brought in a Victoria Cross, which the expert explained was the "highest award for gallantry this country has" but the pair had believed the item was "worthless".
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It was explained the Victoria Cross was awarded to the wife's grandfather for the Battle of Passchendaele during the First World War – but he sadly passed away before her fifth birthday.
Explaining more about her grandad's story, the guest said: "He took charge when he saw that the platoon he was with come out under intense machine gunfire.
"A lot of them got cut down including the commanding officers, he rushed forward and attacked German machine gun posts."
Mark read out the citation, which is what the King would have been told before awarding the medal.
He said: "In the attack on the morning of October 4, 1917 east of Langemarck, Sargent James Ockenden was acting Company Sergeant Major, noticing the right platoon held up by an enemy machine gun which was causing many casualties.
"He, with absolute disregard for his personal safety, immediately rushed the gun, killed two of the gunners and followed and killed the third who was making his escape across no man's land.
"He then led a party to the attack on a trench. This party was heavily fired on as it advanced, Sergeant Ockenden dashed ahead and called upon the garrison to surrender.
"They, however, continued to fire and, with great boldness Sergeant Ockenden, then opened fire himself. Having killed four of the enemy, he forced the remaining 16 to surrender.
"During the remainder of the day, Sergeant Ockenden displayed the greatest gallantry for that he is awarded the Victoria Cross."
Mark explained the Victoria Cross is a "very humble medal" and Queen Victoria said: "It's not about the medal, it's about the deed behind the medal."
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He said: "Queen Victoria didn't want it to be worth money but they do have a value."
The Antiques Roadshow expert revealed the medal was worth £250,000 to £300,000 leaving the couple understandably speechless.
However, the guests admitted they didn't think it would be worth anything as they say it "will never leave the family".
They explained they would be returning the medals to the bank and keeping them in a safety deposit box.
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