Trust wants your treasured things

The Delft tiles at Dyrham Park have been nominated by Annabel Douglas

The National Trust is asking people in the West to nominate their most treasured possessions.

The Treasure Forever campaign will then chose 13 winners whose items will go on display at some of the National Trust's most popular properties.

Some of the items nominated by the public so far include Nanna's lifesaving medal, a needlework cat, a model soldier and a toy panda.

All entries must be received by midnight on Sunday, 1 November 2009.

Some of the people who work most closely with the National Trust's treasures around Bristol and Bath have also been picking their favourite things are and why.

It's such a joyful object and that's why I love it so much Ruth Moppett, Tyntesfield inventory officer

Ruth Moppett, inventory officer at Tyntesfield, has come across many wonderful and quirky items as she catalogues the extensive collection at the Victorian country house, overlooking the Yeo Valley near Bristol.

She said: "My favourite item is a lovely walking stick which has a carved metal donkey's head on its top.

"What's so special about for me is the amount of laughter and fun it provokes when you reveal it's 'wild side,' a little button which, when pressed, pops up the donkey's ears.

Ruth Moppett loves an unusual walking stick which features at Tyntesfield

"It's such a joyful object and that's why I love it so much."

Dyrham Park, the 17th Century mansion near Bath, contains many items that reflect the fashion at the time for all things Dutch.

Annabel Douglas, house and collections manager says her favourite thing at Dyrham is the dairy.

She said: "It contains lovely Delft tiles that are all individually hand painted. Every time I look at them, I see something new."

Stephen Ponder, regional curator says one of his favourite things in the region is the chapel silver at Tyntesfield.

He said: "It's by an important designer, William Butterfield, who I am interested in.

"The chapel silver encapsulates so much of what Tyntesfield is about; it's gothic, represents the Gibbs's commitment to their religion, has a definite purpose and an important religious significance, which speaks to me personally."

You can read stories behind the items which members of the public have entered as their most treasured possessions on the Treasure Forever website.