A treasure trove of antique tools a retired woodwork teacher crammed into Tesco bags and every corner of his home has earned him more than £35,000 at auction.

Roy Turnage has spent decades adding to his haul of more than 1,000 late 19th century rare wood planes and hundreds of chisels and saws.

A recent clearance of the 88-year-old's home in Crockenhill, near Swanley – prompted by a house move due to declining health – uncovered a series of "important treasures".

Every nook and cranny of the property was crammed full of curious collectables ranging from Victorian street lamps to magnifying glasses worthy of a museum.

But it was his impressive collection of antique tools that garnered the most interest when they went under the hammer last month.

Roy is an avid collector of instruments fashioned by T Norris & Son, one of the most prestigious makers of hand tools in England in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

A lot containing a scarce No.28 steel chariot plane found stuffed inside a Tesco carrier bag were among those to fetch hundreds of pounds.

In total his entire collection sold at an auction hosted by Hansons London for £35,204 and all but one lot sold.

Chris Kirkham, associate director of Hansons London, said: “Roy’s collection sparked phenomenal interest and a 99.7% sale rate.

"Woodwork buyers came out in force to secure these valuable and rare tools.

"For example, lot 73, an extremely scarce Preston model 1338P adjustable shoulder plane with Preston iron achieved £520 from a guide price of £120-£180.

“We’re delighted for Mr Turnage. It was hard for him to part company with this incredible tool collection but his treasures are going to people who will appreciate their quality.”

Sale of the items has been prompted by a house move due to Roy’s diminished mobility which meant the enormous collection – which also dominated the garage, attic and basement – had to be moved.

Family and friends had rallied round to clear the Swanley property but it’s been an enormous task.

According to Kay Orta, a family friend for 40 years, Roy didn’t hold back when it came to acquiring all types of objects over the course of 60 years.

She described Roy as "something of an artisan", explaining: “Roy’s father and brother had a love of collecting antiques.

"Roy followed suit and particularly liked to amass tools. He was always good at making things and working with his hands."

Roy worked as woodwork teacher at Addey and Stanhope School in New Cross, London, for 37 years before taking retirement at the age of 60 in 1993.

Kay, who helped Roy’s family sort through his treasures, added: "He could really indulge his collecting passions, then.

"Roy used to go to specialist auctions around the country and liked to buy the crème-de-la crème of high-quality tools – makes like Norris, Preston, Howkins, Stanley and Marples.

"He admired the craftsmanship and quality of handmade tools and also used them.

Roy has also kept a rusting Wolseley 14/60 classic car which was found in his garage, and parts to build a Morris Minor were discovered in his attic.

Roy acquired the former police vehicle after completing his National Service in the 1950s and it was his sole means of transport for 20 years.

As well as the tools, there were also Victorian street lamps, huge iron chains in the basement, 25 stamp albums, an almost complete set of Encyclopaedia Britannica and collections of coins, paperweights, vintage perfume bottles, watches and magnifying glasses.

Other items that went under the hammer included Japanese and oriental jewellery boxes, Indonesian carvings and a Chippendale grandfather clock.

Friend Kay added: "It’s difficult for Roy to part with his tools but he can’t use them anymore due to declining health.

"Also, there was so much in the house it became difficult for his devoted wife of 30 years, Nympha, to care for him.

"The house move will make life much easier for them both.”