You may think that auction houses are the reserve of the rich but Piers Motley Auctions is challenging that preconception by providing something for everyone.

Alongside antique watches and grandfather clocks you may find human skulls or even strange taxidermy creations.

Piers and his wife Boo set up Piers Motley Auctions nine years ago and now the auction house, on Bicton Street, sells items to customers all over the world.

Piers became an auctioneer after having a number of careers, as he explains: "I have had a variety of jobs in the past, I worked as a teacher, a chef and a gardener before I got into the auction business.

"I took the plunge nine years ago after a health scare. It was a very difficult beginning because we were doing it on our own with a skeleton crew but the last few years have been very strong.

"Once people start seeing that you can sell interesting items for good money they start to take notice.

"We do live web bidding, sometimes we find 80% of our sale items are bought by international customers. That's really positive for the seller as we cut out the middle man."

Piers takes great pleasure in surprising customers. For example one customer brought a watch to auction which he had paid £10 for, it sold for roughly £24,000.

"The trick these days is finding the unusual items," said Piers.

"The market used to be very traditional but now the more quirky items are becoming desirable. Often it's items that at one stage we would have thrown away."

According to Piers the most unusual items he has sold are a pair of taxidermy greyhound fetuses, each measuring seven inches in length.

"Taxidermy items are selling well at the moment and thankfully the Victorians did create some very quirky taxidermy," said Piers.

"Often they would create fictional animals, such as bizarre sea beasts, by combining different creatures."

The most expensive item the auction house has sold was a Heuer Skipper Watch. It was sold to a New York banker for £62,000 and delivered directly to him at the Mayfair Hotel in London by taxi.

Brexit uncertainty and changes in the housing market have impacted the business this year, Piers said: "The whole of this year has been tough, the housing market is static which means we're not getting fresh items from house clearances.

"That said, on the sale-side of things if you've got a special item you will find a buyer."

Trends change very quickly in the auction business. Four or five years ago the auction house sold roughly £250,000 worth of amber but the market has moved on from amber now.

If you have never been to auction Piers has some words of wisdom for you, he said: "If you can't find something in a general sale you like something has gone wrong.

"People spend a lot of time in Ikea but you could easily kit out a house for a few hundred pounds at one of our general sales."

"There's something for everyone in a general sale. You will come away with something beautiful, quirky, useful or rare for a bargain."

Piers Motley Auctions' next sale will be Monday, June 17, and will primarily feature jewellery, watches, antiques and collectables.

There will also be a General Sale on July 15, 800 lots will be on offer with items starting from £5.

For more information on Piers Motley Auctions click the red button below.