An auction of oriental carpets will be held at Woodstock Town Hall on September 19, writes Sarah Parker.

The stock is from the Eastern Kayam Oriental Carpet Company, which is now in administrative receivership.

Eastern Kayam was once the largest oriental carpet company in the world, and supplied John Lewis, Harrods, Liberty, House of Fraser and Selfridges.

During the 1990s a management buy-out was followed by falling sales and last year the company was placed in the hands of the receivers.

Remaining stock valued at more than 8m now has to be disposed of. The sale at Woodstock, organised by Village Auctions in association with Bickenstaff and Knowles, starts at 7.30pm, with viewing from 3pm. Further information is available by ringing Village Auctions on 01865 379703.