The sale of Tony Duggan's equipment from his bankrupt construction firm Precision Engineering Technical Company went ahead last week despite rain threatening to keep potential buyers away.

Receiver David Goodwin of Cox Hallet Wilkinson said although he thought Thursday's rain would prevent people from previewing the items for sale, more than 60 people previewed the equipment, and he said there was "quite a bit of interest" in some of the items.

And the items that were listed in an ad in The Royal Gazette, but were not at the preview, namely a trailer, several bobcats, a heavy truck, a light van, mixers and sand sifters had already been bid on, and so were removed from the sale.

Mr. Goodwin said: "There was such a large block (of items) and a very acceptable bid, so we took them out of the public part of it."

Several of Mr. Duggan's personal items such as windsurfers and snowboards were mixed in with his construction equipment and Mr. Goodwin said there could be another auction of Mr. Duggan's other assets in the future once lawyers for both parties reach an agreement.

The close for bids on the equipment was 4 p.m. on Friday.

Mr. Duggan left the island under cover of darkness aboard his luxury catamaran Assegai in July owing more than $1 million to his creditors for his two businesses, Precision Engineering-Technical Ltd. and Office Supplies. He also failed to pass on payroll tax to Government from his employees.