A antiques expert for the BBC who "died" for 10 minutes after a cardiac arrest was brought round by a stranger who was only at the venue to enjoy its oatcakes.

James Lewis , 46, collapsed at an equestrian centre and was lifeless on th ground for minutes.

But a Good Samaritan – only visiting the centre in Leek, Staffordshire after he had heard how tasty the oatcakes were – started CPR and saved James' life.

"I am so lucky that he was there and knew what to do and without doubt he saved my life for which I am very grateful," James told Stoke-on-Trent Live .

Speaking about last September's incident, the Flog It star continued: “He has since told me that he only went there on that day because he had heard three years before that the place did very good oatcakes for breakfast, so he went to try them."

James, from Derby, since spent two weeks in hospital during which he had a defibrillator device inserted into his chest, which he says will ‘kick in immediately if it happens again’.

The auctioneer has been back filming since the cardiac arrest.

And today he will attempt a new world record today (June 21) for the longest continuous auction on the year’s longest day, the summer solstice.

James, founder and director of Bamfords Auctioneers, will begin at 6.30pm and finish at 8pm on Saturday.

Proceeds from the sale of around 1,000 donated lots will go to his passion, which are wildlife charities the Born Free Foundation, of which he is a patron, the International Gorilla Foundation and to elephant charity Tusk.

Representatives from the Guinness World Record organisation will be present to validate the auction, which will see James continually on the rostrum, apart from comfort breaks.

It is the second time he has set a record for a continuous auction. In 2013, he raised nearly £60,000 for 10 local and national charities by selling 2,000 lots in just over 26 hours.

On Saturday, there will be a general sale of donated items and also an African-themed evening with 60 to 80 key lots, including holidays and experiences donated by celebrities including actor Martin Clunes.

Pupils at St Anselm’s School in Bakewell, Derbyshire, will help raise money by actings as porters and taking bids.

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