WHEN Fred Tyldesley retired from his work at Ladybridge High School he knew he would have to find another interest.

So he got even more involved in a hobby that has been a part of his life for seven years now and that hobby has led to a television appearance.

For 73-year-old Fred appeared on BBC One in the antique-based programme "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is" thanks to his remarkable collection of Beswick animals.

So far Fred, who lives in Hawkshaw, has amassed an incredible 300 figures — give or take one or two — but the collection is growing.

Always keen to add to his collection Fred attends regular antique fairs in the hope of picking up a bargain — and an animal figure he does not already have.

From all breeds of dogs, to lions, tigers, chickens and cows Fred is a collector with a reputation.

His reputation as a keen collector gave him the opportunity to appear on television, with one of the show's resident expert dealers, Danny Sebastian, calling at Fred's home to try to sell him some Beswick figures.

"It was great fun and I really enjoyed it," says Fred who bought...... from the dealer after a fun afternoon haggling.

Fred retired from school last year and wonders now how he ever found time to work.

His favourite pastime — aside from caring for his chickens — is visiting antique sales rooms including his favourites in Bolton and Clitheroe.

It was in Clitheroe he met the television star and when Danny had some Beswick to sell as part of the television show he thought of Fred.

Fred's love of animals began, as a small child, when he visited Chorlton's Pet Shop which was next door to his father's butcher's shop (and the family home) in Derby Street.

This pet shop had some unusual residents including a chimpanzee, an iguana and two white rabbits that were dyed pink recalls Fred.

Fred's father, Bert, owned three butcher's shops including the one in Derby Street, one at the home Fred now occupies in Hawkshaw and one in Breightmet.

It is, perhaps, slightly ironic that a boy with a family butcher's business would develop his own business in live animals.

But for the time being it is the pottery animals Fred is particularly focusing on and while most figures in his collection are not particularly valuable it is his dream is to own a black Galloway bull but that would set him back more than £1,000.

"Still we can all dream can't we?" muses the avid collector.