A silverware collection owned by a regional press proprietor has sold at auction for £123,000.

The collection belonged to Sir Ray Tindle and featured a number of pieces from the 18th century and earlier, as well as gifts from the local newspaper staff around the country.

Sir Ray, who ran Tindle Newspapers, died in April this year aged 95.

The top-selling lot was a composite rat tail silver service that sold for £1,300 at Ewbanks Auctioneers, based near Woking, last Thursday.

Some of the items that went under the hammer

Ewbanks Auctioneers chairman Chris Ewbank, who knew Sir Ray and has advertised with his titles for the past 30 years, told the Farnham Herald: “The sale and its reception among the trade and collectors was a fitting tribute to an exceptional man whose work and charitable endeavours touched so many lives.

“He had a fine eye for quality that matched his head for business and passion for the newspaper industry, especially as it served local communities.

“I have rarely seen so many early silver spoons together. Many are from the 18th century, but some are even earlier.”