A Distinguished Flying Cross is just one of many family treasures that is sure to excite the team from popular TV show Bargain Hunt when they visit Cheltenham later this month.

Television stars Richard Madley, Izzie Balmer, Charles Hanson and Charlie Ross will be at the Cheltenham Cricket Festival on Tuesday 29th July for a day that is being called ‘Cricket, Antiques and Antics’.

They will be in the Boundary Marquee Hub, which will be located on the hospital side of the Cheltenham College ground, and they are encouraging as many cricket fans as possible to bring along their family treasures and jewellery for valuation.

The Distinguished Flying Cross belongs to Chris Coley, a former schoolteacher who taught Madley at Stouts Hill, near, Uley, well over 50 years ago.

Coley is the driving force behind the cricket and antiques day, and he said: “My dad was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, he served in the RAF in the Second World War.”

Joseph Henry Coley, who was known as Jerry, was a Tail-end Charlie, a term which refers to the rear gunner in a World War Two bomber.

It was a position known for its danger and Coley said:  “He sat on his own in the back of a fighter plane, he was shot down twice but survived.

“He was part of the famous Peenemunde Raid in 1943.”

Coley’s dad died in 1987 and the medal is one of his son’s prized possessions.

“It will be nice to get it valued,” he said. “I haven’t got a clue what’s it worth but to us it’s priceless.

“It will be something to talk about on the day.”

Coley’s dad was also awarded a silver bar, given for a second act of gallantry that would have merited a second award of the DFC.

The Distinguished Flying Cross is the highest award available for extraordinary aerial achievement.

Coley is hoping many people like him will bring along their treasures to be valued on the day.

“That’s what we’re hoping for,” he said. “We want everyone to get involved.”

For a ticket to the first day of the County Championship game between Gloucestershire and Middlesex plus access to the Boundary Hub Marquee on 29^th July, visit https://venatour.co.uk/packages/cheltenham-cricket-festival-cricket-antiques-and-antics/