A pair of youngsters have stepped into the world of fast-paced market trading at a special 'young guns' event organised for the Hingham Antiques Fair.

Eastern Daily Press: Liam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip CrosthwaiteLiam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip Crosthwaite (Image: Archant)

Sam Sparrow, 13, of Great Ellingham, and Charlie King, 13, of Attleborough, spent a day greeting customers, working as porters and shadowing mentors Pauline McLean and Mark 'Nelson' Griffiths for a day at the monthly fair, which is one of Norfolk's largest.

Sam and Charlie also learned the basics of identifying and valuing silver pieces, and started to develop convincing sales talk with customers.

They also closed a deal for more than £900 on a single piece of silver, and picked up a few tips from the vendors.

Sam said he was thrilled to have taken part. He said: 'The highlights of my day were spending time with the experts who were amazing and shared their time and knowledge with me.

Eastern Daily Press: Liam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip CrosthwaiteLiam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip Crosthwaite (Image: Archant)

'I really enjoyed learning about the silver antiques, especially the different hallmarks from Nelson, which was very interesting.

'I'd definitely do it again if I got the chance.'

Charlie said: 'This event taught me so much, from learning how to recognise what silver is real to learning about jewellery.

'I would recommend this to so many people as it was amazing and any person would be interested.'

Eastern Daily Press: Liam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip CrosthwaiteLiam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip Crosthwaite (Image: Archant)

Also joining in were Flynn Crosthwaite, 11, the son of the fair's owners Philip and Claire Crosthwaite, and 10-year-old Lian Mong, the son of dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances.

Mr Griffiths, from West Runton-based Greenfinch Antiques, said he was impressed with the boys' eagerness to learn about working at a fair.

He said: 'They were both enthusiastic and keen to find out about silver in particular.

'By the end of the fair both were aware of hallmarking - recognising various assay offices, makers marks, date letters and silver standard marks and able to use a hallmark book with versatility.

Eastern Daily Press: Liam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip CrosthwaiteLiam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip Crosthwaite (Image: Archant)

'They hope to return next month to help again where they will be challenged to go off and buy some silver, haggle well and then try and sell for a profit.'

The next Hingham Antiques Fair will take place on Sunday, September 24.

Eastern Daily Press: Liam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip CrosthwaiteLiam Long, 10, the son of Hingham Antiques Fair dealer Hailey Long of Norfolk House Clearances, was among the young people taking part in the 'young guns at the fair' day. Picture: Courtesy of Philip Crosthwaite (Image: Archant)