Bidders from across the world splashed hundreds of thousands of pounds on a collection of vintage pianos at auction.

More than 100 of the classic instruments went under the hammer, with a total of £715,800 being raked in.

Sold at Canterbury Auction Galleries, the staggering array of flamboyant pianos, harpsichords and clavichords were all part of a collection started in 1944 by Charles F Colt.

A walnut-cased double-manual harpsichord, dated 1738, proved to be the most expensive.

Previously on display in a museum in Munich, it surpassed the highest estimate and sold for £69,000 to an American telephone bidder.

A host of others sold for prices ranging between £40,000 and £10,000. It was not all five-figure sums however, with the cheapest piano selling for as little as £100.

Enthusiasts from China, Holland and Australia were also among the bidders trying to get their hands on one of Mr Colt's pianos.

Mr Colt, born in 1911, bought pianos from across the globe until his death in 1985 when his collection was managed by his widow, Barbara.

He made his fortune designing and building high-quality factory-made timber homes and his inspiration for the collection is said to have begun during the Second World War when he was shown a spinet that had been built by a friend.

After her death two years ago, executors of the family estate decided to sell the instruments housed in Bethersden - five of which were already sold at another auction last year.

The collection was thought to have contained the largest single accumulation of Broadwood pianos, the most valuable of which was delivered to King George IV at Brighton Pavilion in 1821.

The money raised from the auction will be split between various musical charities including the Royal School of Music.