Bargain Hunt’s Charles Hanson left open-mouthed as vampire-hunting kit stuns at auction

BARGAIN Hunt's Charles Hanson was left stunned after a mysterious vampire-hunting kit did well at an auction.

Viewers may not be aware that the 44-year-old runs his own auctioneer company when he's not working on the BBC show.

And the antiques expert recently came across a vampire slaying kit that outdid even his own expectations at auction.

The 19th century kit originally belonged to Lord Hailey - a British peer and former administrator of British India.

The lockable box, which contains tools and holy objects to ward off vampires, features two brass crucifixes on the lid which act as a sliding secret locking device.

Inside are more crucifixes, a matching pair of pistols, brass powder flask, holy water, Gothic Bible, wooden mallet, stake, brass candlesticks, rosary beads and Metropolitan police paperwork from the period.

"Whether through fear or fascination, it’s interesting to know a member of the highest aristocratic social order, a man with a place in the House of Lords, acquired this item," Charles said.

The piece went to auction in June of this year and Hanson revealed he expected the kit to fetch between £2,000 - £3,000.

However, interest in the slaying set soared and it sold for a staggering £13,000 - with the final figure coming in at just under £17k following the buyer's premium addon.

Its new owners are being kept under wraps but Hansons Auctioneers did reveal it was a private buyer based in the UK.

“Interest in this item ahead of auction, both from potential buyers and media outlets all over the world, was intense," said Charles.

"It attracted strong advance bids. Nevertheless, the result exceeded all expectations," he concluded.