MALMESBURY'S collection of antique art, furniture and mayoral regalia is being valued this week by fine art expert Stephen Hill.

The mayor's chain and mace are some of the town's valuable artefacts to be seen by the expert from the Malmesbury-based firm Hillditch.

Mr Hill said: "I won't know exactly how valuable they are until I have examined them, but the town has a large collection of painting, prints and antiques, as well as the gold and silver regalia of the mayor.

"Some of the furniture is said to date back to the 17th century, and there are also quite a few 18th and 19th century pieces.

"The paintings are mostly 19th and 20th century, but there are some prints of priceless medieval maps.

"Of course these are only prints, not originals, but they should have some worth in their own right. These are probably the trickiest things to value.

"I imagine the mayoral regalia will be slightly easier, as there is only one firm that makes things like mayoral chains in Leeds, so the value should be fairly standard."

The mayoral pieces are all kept in a vault in the bank because of their value, but the furniture and paintings are on display in the town hall.

Mr Hill said: "Most of things would be impossible to sell on if they were stolen, because they are so distinctive, but a fire could destroy them which is why the valuation is necessary."