Winifred Nicholson's Blue Hyacinths In A Winter Landscape saw a record-breaking hammer price at an auction house on the Cumbria and Lancashire Border.

The painting, from a private seller in the South Lakes, was the star of an online bidding war that reached a climax during the final hour of the sale, jumping from £8,000 to £48,000.

Born in Oxford, Nicholson spent much of her life in Cumbria, and her work now graces some of the finest art galleries in London.

Ewan Duff M.A. 1818 Auctioneers’ Specialist Valuer said: “From my perspective, to handle and catalogue artwork of that standard is an incredible opportunity and one I am very grateful for. I'm looking forward to sourcing and selling other gems like the Nicholson in the future."

Simon Thompson, Assistant Manager at 1818 Auctioneers said: “We recently rebranded and refreshed our Picture Department to form the ‘Paintings Artworks and Imagery, including The Gallery of Affordable Art’ auction which offers an affordable section alongside finer works. Ewan’s arrival coupled with our online timed auction platform means this department is now flourishing."

If you have something that you would like the team to value and sell, call 015395 66201 or visit www.1818auctioneers.co.uk/valuations/