Dudley prepares for toy auction

When 200 people fill an auction room in Dudley on September 11 they will not be bidding for antiques or property - but toy cars and dolls.

"While the price of antique furniture has dropped, toys are at an all time high," says auctioneer Chris Aston, aged 24.

"A lot of the toys are becoming popular due to age of the bidders.

"People in their 30s and 40s, who have some money, want the Star Wars figures, the Subbuteo teams and Tiny Tears dolls.

"Tomorrow Black Country Auctions at Baylies Hall in Tower Street, Dudley is holding a Toy Auction with more than 850 lots.

"The sale is so big we have had to put it over two halls," says Chris.

"Also we are opening an hour earlier, at 8am with the auction starting at 10am because we have had so much interest.

"We sell around 120 lots an hour but that can be slowed down if there is a lot of internet bidding.

"I think people like the excitement of buying from an auction because it is a lot more interesting than going to a shop.

"We have been doing auctions for four years and the toy auctions have been gradually getting more popular.

"We did the first toy auction three years ago, but it was just a small section of a bigger sale.

"However, it has gone so well that we are now specialising in them.