A special auction hosted by High Road Auctions in Twickenham raised money for the Turner's House urgent restoration appeal fund.

Collectables and valuables were donated, with all funds going towards the campaign to restore Sandycombe Lodge, St Margarets, to its original standards.

The villa in Sandycoombe Road was designed by esteemed artist JMW Turner and he used it as his country retreat.

More than £3,000 was raised from 50 lots at the auction night and Turner's House Trust require a further £240,000 by the end of the year to proceed with plans.

Chairman of the trust Catherine Parry-Wingfield said: "We are hugely grateful to manager David Holmes and Sara Sturgess at High Road Auctions who spent many hours to ensure the success of our event and for their very warm welcome to all on the day.

"We still need nearly £240,000 to reach our total project cost of £2.4m, required by the end of this year before we can begin restoring Turner’s House in Sandycoombe Road for the nation.

"We hope to reach our final target, enabling works to begin early next year."

The house hosts an exhibition by two professional artists next weekend, with both inspired by the great British landscape painter.

Beverley Waller and Jim Woodman will show work between 11am and 6pm on Saturday and Sunday, with pieces for sale and free entry.

Ms Waller said: "The peace and beauty of the house have settled on me, inspiring me to draw, draw, draw, often returning to my studio to immediately paint.

"My inspiration comes when a place touches me with beauty and tranquility, as the stillness of Turner’s House has done - ironically not a far cry from my seascapes."

To find out more about Turner’s House, visit turnerintwickenham.org.uk.