FURNITURE from Croome Court fetched a total of almost £170,000 when it was auctioned at Christie's in London last Friday.

The items which fetched the highest price were a pair of George III torcheres - tall stands for candlesticks - which sold for £89,150, despite being expected to go for just £15,000.

The sale included items brought to the estate by George William, sixth Earl of Coventry, who succeeded to the title in 1751.

n George William, the 11th Earl of Coventry died on Friday, June 14 and was buried at Earls Croome church on Wednesday, June 26.