A unique collection of whisky got the bids pouring in at Potbury’s auction sale on Tuesday.

The trove of 86 bottles in 28 separate lots fetched a neat £2,893 including buyer’s premium.

Auctioneer Brinley Roberts said: “I’ve never seen a collection like this before. We’ve sold many bottles of wine and whisky over the years but this is the biggest.”

The bottles were part of a house clearance in the Sid Valley. It’s thought the owner had been in the licensed trade.

The top price for three rare single malt whiskies nosed in at £510. Some of the bottles were from distilleries that no longer exist. Two bidders were in the room and five were UK internet bidders, including one from Scotland.

It made a change from the usual antiques and gold. Buyers are increasingly attracted to the quirky lots. The Sidmouth auctioneers had to get a temporary events licence in order to sell the bottles.