BARBERS Fine Art Auctioneers is closing today after nearly 100 years of business in Woking.

After Barber died in 1949, his widow Martha took over the business and ran it until 1964 when she sold it to Keith Mansfield.

He relaunched the business as a fine art auctioneers in 1971 and moved to Chertsey Road and then various other locations before settling in the Mayford Centre in 1986.

Keith’s daughter Heather Cannon joined the company in 2001 who said: “We have been served by a number of dedicated and loyal staff and customers over the years.  This is a very sad moment for everyone.”

Heather said the highlight of her time at Barber’s was a William IV silver gilt table centre piece that sold for £115,000. The serving dish was a prototype of a set at Windsor Castle and designed by John Bridge with later modifications by Richard Garrard. It had an estimate of £20,000 to £30,000 but attracted great interest with a large number of people attending the sale.