AN auction house has welcomed a new addition to its team.

Matthew Denney, of Lyme Regis, has joined Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne.

Mr Denney has 16 years’ experience working as senior valuer at Dukes of Dorchester.

Before this he was a senior lecturer at Southampton Institute - now Southampton Solent University - where he was course leader for the Fine Arts Valuation Degrees.

A spokesman for Lawrences Auctioneers said: “Matthew is a highly experienced general valuer who brings experience and professionalism to his work producing written valuations for probate, insurance and other purposes. Matthew is an enthusiastic auctioneer and has played an important part in achieving high prices for clients across the West Country and further afield. As happy dealing with individual items for private clients as dealing with large estates, and on one occasion an entire museum contents, Matthew is a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors qualified valuer.

“With specialisms in the English Arts and Crafts Movement, for which he was awarded a PhD, and twentieth century design Matthew has published and lectured widely to many different groups and societies. An enduring love of the fine and decorative arts allied to a professional approach to client relations makes Matthew an important part of the team in Crewkerne.”

Mr Denney is an enthusiastic motorcycle tourist and a lover of contemporary art.