auction at Club Med on the weekend.

The hammer went down on thousands of dollars worth of furniture from the empty hotel in the first of a series of auctions of old Club Med property.

The Atlanta-based Camberley Hotel Company is already considering taking over the East End hotel, which closed in 1988.

And auctioneers Leonard O. Gibbons said Camberley would keep some of the old hotel equipment if their bid was successful.

Leonard Gibbons said: "It was actually more of a sale than an auction and we had everything from couches and chairs to prints, mirrors and high boys.

"We also had some sports equipment and most of the items went. This was the first of many sales at the Club Med site and the next, on the 28th (February), will include linens and outdoor furniture.

"We had around 800 buyers in during the day and thousands of dollars worth of furniture, so all in all it was a success.'' He said the high boys, or large bureaus, were the most expensive items for sale at around $350.

Lamps were sold for $30 to $45, couches for $60 up and chairs for between $10 and $100.

Mr. Gibbons added: "I was pleased with the turnout and how well the sale was organised.

"We will have to hold a number of events because there's an awful lot of stuff to move.

"The proposed new operator is interested in keeping some of it, like kitchenware, china and glassware.

"There will still be more furniture to sell including bed springs, mattresses and king size beds, mirrors, lights and Bermuda prints.''