ALL but one of the antiques previewed in the Watford Observer after BBC's Flog It came to town sold for more than double their estimates at auction.

Following a valuation day last month at The Colosseum, Watford, about 25 items picked by the show's experts went under the hammer at Tring Market Auctions on Saturday, February 18.

Auctioneer, Stephen Hearn said: "It was an extremely enjoyable day.

"We had an enormous crowd and all who came enjoyed themselves, including the camera crew."

The star of the show was an unsigned oil painting of the first and only Derby winner to be bred in Watford, Caractacus.

Originally valued at £150, the bidding shot up to more than 20 times that figure, eventually topping out at £3,100.

The former owner of the picture, Chris Clarke of Kendals Close, Radlett, said: "I was just gobsmacked. It went for that much even though they still don't know who painted it.

"I know it was sold to a man who used to work at the farm where Caractacus was bred and collects things to do with the farm.

"I'm glad it is staying in the area, to someone who will treasure it and display it.

"I have always wanted to go on a cruise, so that's probably what I will do with the money."

Miss Clarke said she decided to sell the painting, as it had been in her loft for some time and she had nowhere to hang it.

Of the other items featured in our preview, the Hancock & Sons Morris ware vase, valued at £300, sold for £780, and the 1930's Steiff soft toy cat, valued at £100, charmed the buyer into parting with £280.

Mr Hearn said he thought a 19th Century French mantle clock with an automatically updating calendar and moon phase display had been under-valued by Flog It experts at £700.

His assessment proved correct when it generated a frenzy of bids, finally selling for £3,800.

He also spotted that the other 19th Century clock we previewed had been re-gilded during its history, significantly reducing its value.

At the auction it failed to reach its reserve and remains unsold, having been valued at £3,000.

Mr Hearn said: "We had a lot of items go for some good prices." The episode of Flog It featuring the treasures found in Watford will air later this year as part of the show's fifth series.