AUCTIONEERS Greenslade Taylor Hunt are celebrating the success of an “old fashioned” sale where the contents of an Edwardian era hotel went under the hammer at the property recently.

The unusual nature of the sale drew an enthusiastic crowd of collectors and the curious to the Marston Lodge Hotel, on the edge of Exmoor National Park, overlooking Minehead.

Nearly 300 bidders registered for the sale, which featured over 400 lots ranging from crockery to collectables.

Hotelier Alex de Mendoza had amassed a vast array of treasures collected over many decades at farm sales and junk shops.

It was fitting that his finds should find new homes via a traditional on-site sale.

Auctioneer Simon Rayner said: “There were lots of people in attendance and there was a real buzz in the room.”

The weather helped as the day-long auction included a selection of outdoor furniture and plants which potential buyers could view in the sunshine.

There had been a good deal of pre-sale interest across the lots and this translated into pleasing figures with virtually all items sold.

“I can’t imagine how it could have gone any better,” said Simon.

Highlights included a signed Elisabeth Frink etching, which was bought for £1,170. A Japanese Katana – a curved sword in a scabbard went for £1,035.