An antique shop, founded by a mother and son, has been named the best dealer in the North.

Sadly, the award has come just too late for Mary Webster, who died aged 80, last year.

Michael Webster, her 60 year-old son who with his mother launched Heathcote Antiques in Cross Hills in 1976, said: "Mum would have loved winning this award - she absolutely loved the business.

"We started up together in a shop just 50 yards away and she enjoyed every moment until she died."

The shop - more an emporium - was named as best general antiques dealer by a judging panel including TV antiques pundit, Eric Knowles.

A spokesman for Miller's, publishers of the antique dealers' bible the Antiques Price Guide, said the British Antique and Collectibles Award was judged on the shop's quality, consistency of stock and knowledge.

"We have no idea who nominated us and it was only in June that we read in a trade newspaper that we were shortlisted.

"And I got to know we had won by a phone call from a colleague before I had time to open the mail," said Michael, whose middle name is Heathcote. He runs the business with his 38-year-old son Simon.

He bought the present single story building - a former garage - seven years ago to consolidate in one area.

And it's like an Alladin's cave, with almost every square foot bristling with treasures from wall to wall and floor to ceiling.

The only things he doesn't sell are weapons - on principle - and stamps and postcards.

Almost every area of life is represented - from dining and lounge furniture, kitchen equipment of every description, bedroom furniture from a four poster to a wicker cot, jewellery and even sports equipment.

On entering, people are invited to view a 1920s' What the Butler Saw, with every 50p put in the slot going to cancer research.

A browse around - and Michael hates the hard-sell approach - keeps throwing up surprises, like the ancient hat stretcher, a corner devoted to sports paraphernalia, and masses of kitchen gadgetry - cork screws and mincers, jugs and knives and forks.

Through another door and into the rear there are rows of oak and mahogany bedroom and living area furniture, and up a flight of steps beds, beech kitchen chairs, fire surrounds and genuine Lloyd Loom furniture.

And out in the back, cast iron gas lampposts, ancient ridge tiles, stone troughs and chimney pots.

"We buy anything so long as it is genuine and good quality," Michael explained.

His sports showcase, packed with period golfing equipment, fishing tackle, cricket and bowling gear, also includes a variety of ancient rugby and cricket balls, all made of leather.

"We have people buying them as Christening presents for boys and things like this are wanted for hire by people creating heritage images," he said.

He and Simon are out most days looking for quality goods throughout the north, while back in the workshop staff are restoring Victorian pine furniture, much going to Japan and the USA.

"The most pleasing thing for me is that this is not a job, it's a passion. I enjoy coming to work because I don't know what I will be offered, who I will meet, or what I will sell," said Michael.