A BIBLE belonging to legendary Darlington goalkeeper Arthur Wharton is to be featured on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.

Wharton’s great-granddaughter Dorothy Rooney brought the bible to Wentworth Woodhouse near Rotherham, accompanied by Howard Holmes, the founder of FURD (Football Unites, Racism Divides), which provides educational resources about Wharton’s life.

The bible has the year 1882 inscribed inside it along with Arthur’s name and the name of Shoal Hill College.

Valuer Adam Schoon said: “A bible is an extremely difficult item to value but the value I give will probably grow with the recognition of the man’s achievements.

“It is worth a trivial £300, maybe £500 at auction. But you cannot put a price on a bible or photos or reproductions. It is rich history.”

Wharton, the world’s first black professional footballer, who played for Darlington, was an all-round sportsman and became the first official 100-yard world record holder and world champion in 1886.

He was also a professional cricketer, cycling champion and rugby player.

Ms Rooney said: “I am exceedingly proud. We have actually been to Ghana to see his family but they did not know about Arthur.”

The programme will be broadcast on Sunday, July 20.

*An episode of the Antiques Roadshow is to be filmed in the North-East later this year.

The Sunday evening programme is to be recorded at Durham Cathedral on Thursday, September 4.

Presenter Fiona Bruce will be joined by some of Britain’s leading antiques and fine art specialists to offer free advice and valuations to visitors.

Members of the public can bring along their family heirlooms and household treasures between 9.30am and 4.30pm. Admission is free.

People with large pieces of furniture or other big items can send details and photographs of their objects to: Antiques Roadshow, BBC, Whiteladies Road, Bristol BS8 2LR or e-mail them to: antiques.roadshow@bbc.co.uk