Auctions are more popular than ever, with 26,000 homes going under the hammer in the past year.

And 73 per cent of the homes offered at auction were sold, up from 69 per cent the year before, according to research company Essential Information Group.

The regional area that includes Oxfordshire boasts an even higher success rate, with 80 per cent of properties offered at auction during the past three months finding a buyer.

Little Milton-based Morgan & Associates are one of a growing number of agents who have teamed up with an auctioneer to offer clients the chance to put their property under the hammer.

Susi Morgan, of Morgan & Associates, believes the main attraction of auctions is that they offer buyers more control, and sellers a quick sale.

She said: “There are a variety of reasons why a seller might request a public auction.

“They may have struggled to sell on the open market or they own a home which is a desirable investment.

“We also have several auction requests from those who need a quick sale.”

She added: “The speed at which transactions are progressed is relatively quick as the exchange of contracts occurs on the day and completion usually takes no more than four weeks.”

Her agency recently oversaw the auction of The Sands, in Great Milton, for Patricia White.

The property, set in 17 acres of land and needing extensive redevelopment, was listed with a guide price of £475,000.

The sale, which took place at The Sands, attracted 50 bidders and the property finally went under the hammer for £625,000.