A cracked vase found in a Gravesend home broke all records at an auction after fetching £64,000.

The Chinese blue and white porcelain vase went under the hammer in Canterbury and became the highest selling item ever sold at the Canterbury Auction Galleries auction house, overtaking a George III satinwood commode which sold for £63,000 in 1996.

The owner, who was not been named, said: “I grew up with it and remember it always being on show, but it was not a piece that was considered important. I’m staggered by the price it fetched.”

The vase was found after auctioneer Tony Pratt visited the house on a valuation visit.