The perfect cup of coffee has often proved elusive - as illustrated by these ingenious contraptions on display at a coffee shop in Wallingford.

Customers, such as Joan Fenemore, passing the window of Wallingford Tea & Coffee Company, in St Martin's Street, may be tempted to fork out for a vintage model - in their quest for the perfect grind.

Customer Joan FenemoreSome date from 19th century Europe and America.

The Whitmee and Chapman, with its huge fly-wheel, may not be the most convenient device for the morning cuppa, but its European cousin, the table-mounted Spong, is more user-friendly.

The shop's owner Mr Stephen Kitching said: "There has always been an inexorable desire to make a better, stronger cup of coffee and this can only be achieved by grinding the coffee more finely and brewing it correctly.

"The secret of a successful grinder is to have accurately cut grooves becoming progressively shallower as they lead to the grinding exit.

"We wish to dispose of some of the many attractive grinders we currently have."

**Picture: George Reszeter