A Chinese vase given to a cleaning lady by her employer on her retirement fetched £92,000 at auction yesterday.

The red, blue and white vase was inherited by the cleaner's grandson and sat on the shelf next to his TV for several years. It had been given to the Chelsea cleaner by her employer in the 1940s as a retirement present.

It was only when the grandson saw a picture of a rare vase auctioned for £240,000 that they checked their version.