An auction house with its roots deep in Hertfordshire’s history - and as old as the Herts Advertiser itself - is returning to St Albans for a charity valuation and auction next week.

J P Humbert Auctioneers, which was founded in the 1840s by Charles Francis Humbert and is now run by great-great-great grandson Jonathan Humbert, will be hosting an auction and an afternoon of free valuations to raise money for the hospice, Grove House.

The event – which takes place from 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday) at the Town Hall - returns after a three-decade absence and managing director Jonathan said: “It is good to be back”.

He added: “We are very excited to be bringing our family-run auction back to St Albans.

“St Albans is a fabulous area and a fantastic place to host an antique and fine art auction.”

According to Jonathan, between 200 and 250 lots will be auctioned at the Town Hall including jewellery, diamonds, furniture and metalwork.