THE sell-off of thousands of items from the former Meridian TV studios concluded last night, with only 100 items left unclaimed.

Nearly 3,000 lots, including Fred Dinenage's old newsreading chair and even a temporary building, went under the hammer in a marathon auction that lasted from 10.30am until 8.45pm.

Hundreds of monitors, cameras and technical film recording items were sold during the morning, as scores of people turned out to the Northam

studios to bid.

Office equipment, stationery and canteen equipment was snapped up as auctioneers rattled through nearly 150 items an hour.

David Heaselgrave, director of auction company Henry Butcher, said: "It went very well, with only about 100 lots left. Most of the items sold for the prices we more or less expected and the remaining lots will hopefully be sold at a follow-up auction."

Hundreds of people turned out for viewing day on Wednesday to check out rows of lighting equipment and rooms packed with lever arch files and folders.

Everything that could be removed had a lot number attached.

Even the furniture in reception was up for grabs, as well as a Meridian sunshine logo that once hung in a news studio.

The sale, which marks the final closing down of the Northam studios as Meridian moves to Whiteley, near Fareham, was expected to bring in nearly £1m for ITV coffers.