The story is about a long-established and highly respected family firm of auctioneers, the House Of Caradus, in Chester, England, which is now in serious financial trouble. The series captures the drama of the auction room, the excitement of bid and counter-bid, taking in dealers' rings, forged art treasures and the growing invasion of the antiques scene by London-based auction houses starved of pieces to sell. As the House of Caradus struggles to stay alive, by fair means or foul, its clients cover the whole spectrum of need and greed from international dealers to hard-pressed housewives. Starring in this series are Sarah Bullen, Robert Grange. Anthony Smee and Madeline Hinde. The firm is run by Victor Caradus, 40, with the help of his cousins, Helena, 31, and Lionel, 26. Helena, who studied Impressionist art in Paris, has a love of beauty and high ideals and Victor regards her with some resentment. Lionel is a spoiled young charmer who is deeply in debt to his bookmakers.