A diamond necklace worth approximately £250,000 has broken the record for the most expensive item of jewellery sold at a Dorset auction house.

The 53 cushion-cut diamond piece sold for £190,000, rising to £240,160 with premium, at Duke's in Dorchester. The 64 carat Victorian necklace, which had an estimate of £150,000, broke the previous record of £84,000 for an emerald-set turban brooch. A major international buyer bought the 19th Century necklace which was not seen for almost 40 years.