THE OWNER of a 19th century table saw a healthy return at an auction in Leigh.

The Middle Eastern occasional table reached £1,400 even though the elderly seller bought it 30 years ago for just £1. It was expected to make £200 at the sale at Stacey's Auctioneers and Valuers in Leigh. The owner was thrilled to make such a profit. Another lot at the auction was an antique polar bear skin rug.

It had been stored in an attic for 20 years and sold for £1,050 after frantic telephone bidders competed for it.

Also entered into the sale by the seller of the rug was an arts and crafts hall lantern which had possibly been made by the London store Liberty's. It sold for £900.