The Museum of the Horse in Tuxford appeared on the second series of Channel 4’s programme Millionaire Hoarders

A town’s museum has appeared on the second series of a popular TV show in a quest to raise funds for its future.

Sally Mitchell, the owner and curator of the Museum of the Horse in Tuxford, was approached about a year ago to get involved in the Channel 4’s programme Millionaire Hoarders.

The programme features Antiques Roadshow expert, Ronnie Archer-Morgan, and filming took place between summer and autumn last year.

It aired as part ofeEpisode two on Friday May 9, and showed antiques expert Ronnie rummaging through Sally’s equestrian collection and unearthing a painting by George Stubbs, the renowned 18th-century English artist famed for his horse portraits, hidden away in a storeroom for more than 50 years.

The painting depicts a grey cob named Rainbow. It is recorded in the catalogue Raisonne and experts at real estate experts Sotheby’s confirmed that Stubbs produced the artwork between 1802-1804 during his twilight years.

Sally agreed to sell the painting at Sotheby’s in Bond Street to help raise funds for the future of the Museum and help finance the renovation of the Museum’s new Conference room.

Ronnie Archer-Morgan said: “I’ve just been handling and talking about a Stubbs.

“It’s been in my hands; it’s a wonderful thing - this is why I love my job, getting the best price for Sally so she can continue her dream.

“Her dedication to her museum brought me to tears. She’s so humble and dismissive of any praise for what she’s done, but what she’s achieved is monumental.”

Sally added: “It was a very interesting experience being involved in the programme and hearing what Ronnie’s expert opinion was on items like the Japanese saddle, which also featured.

“I am absolutely delighted with the auction result of the Stubbs, which is a wonderful start to our fundraising efforts to enable the Museum to continue when I fail to do so.

“I am eighty this year, and sadly, none of us live forever!

“The Museum is the only one of its kind in the UK and the collection is unique; it is the history of all of us, in war, transport, agriculture, the horse powered the world for over 3000 years, while the combustion engine has only been around for about 150 years.

“Hopefully, the TV programme will help spread the word and encourage more visitors to the Museum and who knows, maybe some sponsors too.”

The museum and gallery is open six days a week from Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 4.30pm and Saturdays from 9.30am until 2pm.