MAJESTIC in nature, these Japanese Meiji period bronze cranes proved to be a big hit at an antiques fair.

Held at Blenheim Palace the third annual Cotswolds Art & Antiques Dealers’ Association Fair showcased collections including antique harps, clocks, paintings and sculptures.

It ran from Thursday to Sunday at the Woodstock palace and saw 30 dealers come from Stratford, Broadway, Cheltenham, Painswick, Bath, Stow-on-the -Wold, Woodstock and Oxford.

Dealer Alex Puddy, from near Stow-on-the-Wold, sold some of his sculptures and garden ornaments including the cranes.

The 44-year-old, who has been dealing antiques for more than 20 years, said: “It went very well, I sold some items to new clients – it was very successful.

“It’s about quality and not quantity.

I’ve been every year and it has some very good footfall, it is a well-respected antique fair.”