The number of lots going under the hammer in Auction House’s May sales has reached a new high for the month, with 432 lots listed.

The figure compares with 262 last year – an increase of almost two-thirds (65%), and the second highest monthly figure in the group’s seven-year history.

Auction House is also reporting that sales are up 12% on this time last year, with 230 lots sold from 308 offered in April (a success rate of 74.7%), raising a total of £32m and contributing to a total of 740 successful sales so far this year.

Auction House founding director Roger Lake said: “Our philosophy of selling local property to local buyers through regional auction rooms is a winning formula that is attracting extra instructions.”