THE recent auction of dollhouses at Okehampton Auctioneers raised the magnificent sum of more than £4,000 for the Children's Hospice South West and Great Ormond Street Hospital.

The consignment of collectors' dollhouses were generously given up for auction by a woman from North Cornwall, who wished to remain anonymous.

Auctioneers hoped the houses would raise a substantial amount for the charities, and valuer Caroline Shaw was pleased with the result.

She said: 'We got an excellent result with all the houses finding new homes, selling collectively for over £4,000.

'This money will be of great benefit to Children's Hospice South West and Great Ormond Street.

'The star of the show, as expected, was "Jessica Rose", the haberdasher's shop set out as a Victorian family wedding. After much interest it sold well above estimate at £780.'

There was a wide range of dollhouses among the collection of 12, varying from a 1960s-style house to a dollhouse designed like a corner shop.

A large revolving dollhouse sold for £540 to Flambards Theme Park in Cornwall, and a five-storey dollhouse, 'The Maltings', sold for £550.

The auctioneers expressed thanks to everyone involved in the auction, and all who expressed an interest in the sale and helped raise such a great amount for the two children's charities.