Cheffins’ recent sale offered, among many interesting lots, a derelict two-up-two-down thatched cottage in Horningsea, Cambridge with a guide price of £40-60,000. Apparently the cottage’s attractions of a decent plot and river frontage proved irresistible and the gavel finally went down at £134,000.

Total sales for their May auction were £2.5 million from 27 lots. Auctioneer Simon Gooderham said, ”It’s clear that the market is improving in the Cambridge area and we are experiencing increased demand as confidence returns to some sectors of the market. It also shows the effectiveness of the auction process.

“We had strong competitive bidding among the 300 people in the saleroom and the deals were concluded on the spot.”