A family is over the moon after a chess set, they thought would sell for a tenner, sold for thousands of pounds at a Blackburn auction.

Helen and Matthew Lewis, from Newton-in-Bowland, brought their Jaques of London chess set to Shaw's Auction House at the weekend.

The full chess and draughts set, thought to date back to the mid-19th century, had been gifted to their son, Oliver, after being passed down through several generations.

It sold for £13,000 after going under the hammer on Sunday, June 2.

Helen said: “We just can’t believe it. The figure just kept going up and up and it was incredible to watch.

“I think Callum Shaw, managing director of the auction house, was in shock too”.

21-year-old Oliver has not yet decided how he is going to spend his money.

“Oliver is over the moon but hasn’t quite decided what to do with the money yet,” Helen said. “He is going to put it to some use and put the money in his bank. He will probably invest it in something.”

Helen is urging people to check their home for “hidden treasures” as this chess set had been sitting in their son’s drawers, unused, for seven years.

She said: “You never know what you have in your house. “We thought we’d only get a tenner for the chess set.

“It has encouraged us to use auctions more in the future.

“Callum has been brilliant always keeping us informed about the chess set.  The auction house has been fabulous and I highly recommend trying it.”

The chess set, described as “extremely rare” has been traced back to Matthew’s great-grandfather, believed to be called Isaac Gordutt, who was born in 1852.

Lancashire Telegraph: Jaques of London chess set sold at Shaw's Auction House, in BlackburnJaques of London chess set sold at Shaw's Auction House, in Blackburn (Image: Shaw's Auction House)

Callum, managing director of Shaw Auction House, said: “We were absolutely shocked and delighted that the chess set sold for what it did.

"We said last week that we were expecting maybe double what it was on, but to grow to ten times that amount is incredible! We are so pleased for Helen and her family it's such an amazing result."

The buyer, who collects Jaques chess sets, said he has been "searching for a jewel" to add to his collection.

He said: "The buyer has also been in contact and is thrilled too. He is a collector of Jaques Chess Sets and has been searching for a jewel like this to add to his collection.

"We are so pleased that we were able to connect them through our auction.

"Moments like these are why we do what we do! It just shows that one person's old and unused items can be another person's treasure, and now that item can be loved again."

The next auction is on June 30 at 10am.

Callum said: "If there is anyone who thinks they might have their own hidden treasures, or if they would like us to value their items, we offer this as a free no-obligation service.

"They are very welcome to make an appointment with us to bring in items to us to be valued or we can visit them at their convenience.

"They can send us an email on enquiries@shawsauctionhouse.co.uk or ring our number 01254 492325, or find us on social media and our website."