An Elsecar man has been awarded a lifetime achievement for his work with antiques.

Alan Blakeman, who works at BBR Auctions at Elsecar Heritage Centre, travelled to the United States of America yesterday as he prepares to receive his award today.

The awards banquet, which is being held at the 2013 National Antique Bottle Show in Manchester, New Hampshire, is a prestigious event in America.

The show starts today and goes through until Sunday, and has been organised by the Federation of Historic Bottle Collectors (FOHBC).

This is the seventh time Alan has visited the show but he says this is the first time people may get to know about him.

He said: "I've been quite a few times but no one has ever really known who I am, but they might now.

"I've not told my partner about it yet so I think it will be a nice little surprise for her. She'll ask why I'm taking a pair of formal trousers for a walk in the park."

The ceremony Alan is attending is in front of over 1,200 people and he will be inducted into the antiques hall of fame after 30 years' involvement in the antique bottle trade and British Bottle Review.

Alan said: "It's such an honour. A lot of people think I'm really outgoing but deep down there will be an element of shyness.

"It's not just recognition for me, it's recognition and a good honour for the centre too."

During his visits to the States, Alan usually goes to promote the following year's collectors' weekend at the Heritage Centre.

"If we can get just half a dozen new people to come to the heritage centre then hopefully they can go home and tell their relatives and friends about it and we'll get popularity through it that way."