Watch: New era begins as former clockworks reopens as auction house

The pair met on a fine arts valuation course at Southampton University and have since developed successful careers in the antiques trade.

But they have returned to their Shropshire roots to launch their own Trevanion & Dean auction house in the former JB Joyce & Co factory on Station Road in Whitchurch – and on Saturday they held their first auction.

About 400 bidders from across the world were registered online for the sale, while scores more people attended the auction and bid for items. Ms Trevanion – who has lived in Whitchurch all her life and appeared on BBC shows such as Bargain Hunt, Antiques Roadtrip and Flog It! – described the occasion as "one to remember for the rest of our lives", adding both she and Mr Dean, who hails from Ellesmere, had been "overwhelmed" by the support they had received.

Among the items which sold was a David Mellor for Walker and Hall silver tea service which made £2,400.

A chiming bracket clock brought in £2,100 and a Meissen pate-sur-pate scent bottle went for £2,200. Ms Trevanion said the pair had received the keys for the building at the end of October and had spent nine weeks working to make it ready.

She said: "It was fantastic to see so many bidders and buyers in the room and we had 400 bidders registered online from as far afield as Australia."

The next auction will take place on February 14 and hold regular free valuation days.