A new TV treasure - check out Shift the Thrift with Joanna Page on BBC One

Presented by the effervescent Joanna Page, it sees rivals, armed with £100 each, head for charity shops, search for treasures among the trash, choose an item to upcycle, sell them for a profit at auction and then give the cash to charity.

Simple, gently humorous, nostalgic, sentimental, touching and geographically picturesque, Shift the Thrift features lovely people doing lovely things for causes that mean something to them.

It does not dwell on the ins and outs of the circumstances that have brought the participants to the ‘table’, safe to say there are stories with happy endings and those more tragic.

It sits perfectly in BBC One’s mid-afternoon slot and has the same vibe as Escape to the Country, Money for Nothing, Travelling Auctioneers and the Bidding Room.

It arrived with out fanfare and ‘just is’ – no agenda, no virtue signalling, just quietly, nicely going about the best of Britain and showcasing the best of human nature.

The first episode came from Hastings when partners James and Elaine went head-to-head to raise as much money as possible for a cause close to their hearts.

With 15 charity shops to explore, £100 each to spend and 60 minutes on the clock, they split up with expert thrifters – and married duo – Pete and Lola to hunt for hidden gems.

Elaine and former police officer Pete took a measured and methodical approach. Together, they searched for reliable, resale-friendly pieces – items with solid value and broad appeal. Across town, James and Lola were on the lookout for something more daring: a potential star buy.

From vintage teapots to designer labels and overlooked curiosities, both teams scoured shelves and rails in the hope of striking gold.

Meanwhile, Joanna kept watch and had her own pick of the day hidden in plain sight: a pair of 1970s binoculars with serious retro appeal for anyone sharp enough to spot them.

As the clock ticks down, decisions must be made quickly. With budgets dwindling and time slipping away, last-minute dashes to the till tested nerves and strategy alike.

After the shop – which has to include an item for upcycling – each team prepared their chosen pieces for a live-streamed online auction, using presentation skills and persuasive sales patter to win over digital bidders.

It’s not just about who finds the best bargains – it’s about who can sell them. While only one team can claim victory, the real winner is the charity pot, boosted by a fast-paced day of thrifting.

So far, the programme has been to High Wycombe, Camerthen, Bridgend, Llandudno and a serch for murderous merchandise in Midsomer Norton.

Hebden Bridge, Harrogate and Chepstow are future locations – and all can be watched on BBC iPlayer.

Actress Page is perfect as the host of Shift the Thrift. Her enthusiasm and down-to-earth chatty style put the participants and viewers at ease.

She always appears happy to be there and makes sure her guests are too – stepping in to help if they are struggling with either buying or presenting.

Shift the Thrift taps into a trend for vintage items – and there are plenty of tips and tricks the viewer can pick up as well as reminders of the past: remember St Michael’s labels before they were M&S, Burberrys before it was Burberry or Gap before it was GAP or Tie Rack? I do.

It’s on BBC One each weekday at 2pm.