A BLUE pot valued at £100 exceeded expectations when it finally sold for £14,500 at auction.

Believed to be early English Delft ware, it had been hidden away in the attic of a Ribble Valley house for many years before going under the hammer at Silverwoods spring catalogue sale at Clitheroe Auction Mart.

The rarity of the 16th century piece meant that at least four major dealers were interested in it and bidding went through the roof. It was eventually purchased by a pottery specialist from the south west of England. The oval bowl was handpainted with Chinese scenes.