diff --git a/auction/__init__.py b/auction/__init__.py
index 97c6ef0..a16a04c 100644
--- a/auction/__init__.py
+++ b/auction/__init__.py
@@ -7,33 +7,34 @@ db = SQLAlchemy() # defines a new database
 DB_NAME = "database.db"
 
 def app(): # creates and initialises a flask app
-    application = Flask(__name__) # initializes the app
-    application.secret_key = "password" # encrypts cookies and session data for the website
+        
+    app = Flask(__name__) # initializes the app
+    app.secret_key = "password" # encrypts cookies and session data for the website
     
     # stores sqlite database in the current directory
-    application.config["SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI"] = f'sqlite:///{DB_NAME}'
-    db.init_app(application) # initialises database with the application
+    app.config["SQLALCHEMY_DATABASE_URI"] = f'sqlite:///{DB_NAME}'
+    db.init_app(app) # initialises database with the app
     
     # sets where uploaded images are saved
-    application.config["IMAGE_UPLOADS"] = "/home/codio/workspace/auction/static/images"
+    app.config["IMAGE_UPLOADS"] = "/home/codio/workspace/auction/static/images"
     
     from .routes import routes # imports the routes from the route file
-    application.register_blueprint(routes, url_prefix="/")
+    app.register_blueprint(routes, url_prefix="/")
         
-    from .database_models import User, Item # imports the database classes from the database_models file
-    create_db(application)
+    from .database_models import Item, User # imports the database classes from the database_models file
+    create_db(app)
     
     login_manager = LoginManager()
     login_manager.login_view = "routes.login"
-    login_manager.init_app(application)
+    login_manager.init_app(app)
     
     @login_manager.user_loader
     def load_user(id): # tells user how to find a user
         return User.query.get(int(id)) # looks for primary key, checking against the id passed
     
-    return application
+    return app
 
-def create_db(application):
+def create_db(app):
     # checks if the database exists already, creating it if not
-    if not path.exists("auction/" + DB_NAME): # determines if database.db is a path in the directory
-        db.create_all(app=application) # creates the database
\ No newline at end of file
+    #if not path.exists("auction/" + DB_NAME): # determines if database.db is a path in the directory
+    db.create_all(app=app) # creates the database
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/auction/database.db b/auction/database.db
index 3998f5c..d2f376c 100644
Binary files a/auction/database.db and b/auction/database.db differ
diff --git a/auction/database_models.py b/auction/database_models.py
index d8bcdb4..02ed66f 100644
--- a/auction/database_models.py
+++ b/auction/database_models.py
@@ -6,13 +6,15 @@ class Item(db.Model): # class that stores info about each item on the system
     item_id = db.Column(db.Integer, primary_key=True) # primary key id number
     item_name = db.Column(db.String(150))
     description = db.Column(db.String(500))
-    start_bid = db.Column(db.Integer)
+    price = db.Column(db.Integer)
+    current_bid = db.Column(db.Integer, default=0)
     item_image = db.Column(db.Text())
-
-    date_only = db.Column(db.Date, server_default=func.date()) # just the date the item was made
-    date = db.Column(db.DateTime(timezone=True), server_default=func.now()) # defaults the datetime to now
+    
+    date = db.Column(db.DateTime, server_default=func.now()) # defaults the datetime to now
+    auction_end = db.Column(db.DateTime)
     
     sold = db.Column(db.Boolean(), default=False)
+    sold_to = db.Column(db.Integer, default=0)
     user_id = db.Column(db.Integer, db.ForeignKey('user.id')) # must pass a valid id of an existing user to this object, 1 to many
 
 class User(db.Model, UserMixin): # creates each user in the database
@@ -21,6 +23,4 @@ class User(db.Model, UserMixin): # creates each user in the database
     phone = db.Column(db.Integer)
     password = db.Column(db.String(150))
     username = db.Column(db.String(150))
-    items = db.relationship('Item') # a list of all the items a user owns
-
-#current_bid = db.Column(db.Integer)
\ No newline at end of file
+    items = db.relationship('Item') # a list of all the items a user owns
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/auction/routes.py b/auction/routes.py
index 45ae17f..6290396 100644
--- a/auction/routes.py
+++ b/auction/routes.py
@@ -6,6 +6,8 @@ from werkzeug.utils import secure_filename # allows me to change the uploaded fi
 from . import db
 from flask_login import login_user, login_required, logout_user, current_user # login management modules
 import os
+from datetime import datetime, timedelta
+import smtplib
 
 
 routes = Blueprint("routes", __name__) # blueprint allows splitting up routes over several files
@@ -14,17 +16,20 @@ routes = Blueprint("routes", __name__) # blueprint allows splitting up routes ov
 UPLOAD_FOLDER = "/home/codio/workspace/auction/static/images"
 ALLOWED_EXTENSIONS = set(['jpg'])
 
+
 @routes.route("/", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
-@login_required # requires the user to be logged in to access
+#@login_required # requires the user to be logged in to access
 def home_page():
     items = Item.query.all() # gets all rows of items
     users = User.query.all() # gets all rows of items
-    return render_template("home_page.html", items=items, user=current_user, users=users, extensions=ALLOWED_EXTENSIONS) # sends items to the html and keeps track of login status
+    dt = datetime.now()
+    return render_template("home_page.html", items=items, user=current_user, users=users, dt=dt) # sends items to the html and keeps track of login status
+
 
 @routes.route("/login", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
 def login(): # users can login to the website using an existing account
     if request.method == 'POST':
-        email = request.form.get("email")
+        email = request.form.get("email") # gets values from form
         password = request.form.get("password")
         
         user = User.query.filter_by(email = email).first() # checks all the users with the email entered
@@ -34,12 +39,13 @@ def login(): # users can login to the website using an existing account
                 login_user(user, remember=True) # remembers the user is logged while the web server is using
                 return redirect(url_for('routes.home_page')) # redirects the user to the home page
             else:
-                flash("Password incorrect", category="warning")
+                flash("Password incorrect", category="warning") # shows a warning
         else:
             flash("Account does not exist", category="warning")
             
     return render_template("login.html", user=current_user)
 
+
 @routes.route("/register", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
 def register(): # users can register for a new account, saves new user to the database
     if request.method == 'POST':
@@ -71,18 +77,20 @@ def register(): # users can register for a new account, saves new user to the da
     
     return render_template("register.html", user=current_user)
 
+
 @routes.route("/logout")
 @login_required
-def logout():
+def logout(): # allows users to logout
     logout_user() # remembers that the user has logged out
     flash("You are now logged out.", category="success")
-    return redirect(url_for("routes.login")) # redirects user back to the login page
+    return redirect(url_for("routes.home_page")) # redirects user back to the login page
+
 
-def allowed_file(filename):
+def allowed_file(filename): # checks the image uploaded is of the write extension
     return '.' in filename and \
            filename.rsplit('.', 1)[1] in ALLOWED_EXTENSIONS
 
-# ********adds to the database even with the wrong extension, since it needs to commit to get user id*************
+
 @routes.route("/sell", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
 @login_required
 def sell(): # user can enter information about an item they would like to add to the home page in order to sell
@@ -91,10 +99,14 @@ def sell(): # user can enter information about an item they would like to add to
         item_name = item_name.capitalize() # capitalizes name
         description = request.form.get("description")
         description = description.capitalize()
-        start_bid = request.form.get("start_bid")
-
+        price = request.form.get("price")
+        
+        dt = datetime.now()
+        td = timedelta(days=3)
+        auction_end = dt + td # gets the auction end time, set to 3 days in the future
+        
         #creates a new Item object
-        new_item = Item(item_name=item_name, description=description, start_bid=start_bid, user_id=current_user.id)
+        new_item = Item(item_name=item_name, description=description, price=price, auction_end=auction_end, user_id=current_user.id)
         db.session.add(new_item)
         db.session.commit() # commits the new item to the database
             
@@ -120,13 +132,16 @@ def sell(): # user can enter information about an item they would like to add to
         
     return render_template("sell.html", user=current_user)
 
+
 @routes.route("/myitems", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
 @login_required
 def my_items(): # shows items the user has for put sale
     length = len(current_user.items) # how many items the user has for sale
+    dt = datetime.now() # gets the current date and time
+    
     if length > 0:
-        return render_template("my_items.html", user=current_user) # shows the user their items
-    else:
+        return render_template("my_items.html", user=current_user, dt=dt) # shows the user their items
+    else: # if the user has no items for sale
         return render_template("no_items.html", user=current_user) # tells the user they have nothing for sale
     
     
@@ -136,12 +151,23 @@ def item_info(item_id): # route shows users a dedicated page for each item, with
     user = current_user
     users = User.query.all() # gets all users
     item = Item.query.filter_by(item_id=item_id).first() # finds the item the user clicked ons information
-    return render_template("item.html", user=current_user, users=users, item=item)
+    dt = datetime.now()
+    
+    # if statements show different html depending on if the item is marked as sold, expired, or still for sale
+    if item.sold == True:
+        return render_template("item_sold.html", user=current_user, users=users, item=item)
+    
+    elif dt > item.auction_end:
+        return render_template("item_expired.html", user=current_user, users=users, item=item)
+    
+    elif item.sold == False:
+        return render_template("item.html", user=current_user, users=users, item=item)
+    
 
 @routes.route("/delete/<int:item_id>", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
 @login_required
 def item_delete(item_id): # allows a user to delete their item from the website
-    user=current_user
+    user = current_user
     item = Item.query.filter_by(item_id=item_id).first() # finds the item they clicked on
     
     # prevents another user deleting items they don't own
@@ -149,12 +175,14 @@ def item_delete(item_id): # allows a user to delete their item from the website
         Item.query.filter_by(item_id=item_id).delete() # deletes the item
         db.session.commit()
         flash("Item deleted", category="success")
+        return redirect(url_for('routes.my_items'))
     
     else:
         flash("Unauthorised user", category="warning") # tells the user if they try to delete someone elses item
         
     return redirect(url_for('routes.home_page')) # redirects to the home page
 
+
 @routes.route("/sold/<int:item_id>", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
 @login_required
 def sold(item_id): # allows a user to mark an item as sold
@@ -167,6 +195,54 @@ def sold(item_id): # allows a user to mark an item as sold
         db.session.commit()
     
     else:
-        flash("Unauthorised user", category="warning") # tells the user if they try to delete someone elses item
+        flash("Unauthorised user", category="warning") # tells the user if they try to mark someone elses item
+        return redirect(url_for('routes.home_page')) # redirects to the home page
+    
+    winner = User.query.filter_by(id=item.sold_to).first()
+    if item.sold_to > 0:
+        notify_winner(winner, item) # sends an email to the winner
+    return redirect(url_for('routes.my_items')) # redirects to the home page
+
+
+@routes.route("/bid/<int:item_id>", methods=['GET', 'POST'])
+@login_required
+def bid(item_id): # allows a user to bid on an item
+    user = current_user
+    item = Item.query.filter_by(item_id=item_id).first()
+    
+    if item.sold_to == 0: # if this is the first bid
+        new_bid = request.form.get("new_bid") # gets the bid from the form
+        item.current_bid = new_bid # sets the values in the database = to the new values
+        item.sold_to = user.id
+        db.session.commit() # updates the database
+    
+    else: # if the item has been bid on before
+        outbid_user = User.query.filter_by(id=item.sold_to).first()
+        notify_outbid(outbid_user, item) # emails the person being outbid
+        new_bid = request.form.get("new_bid") # gets the bid from the form
+        item.current_bid = new_bid # sets the values in the database = to the new values
+        item.sold_to = user.id
+        db.session.commit()
+    
+    return redirect(url_for('routes.item_info', item_id=item.item_id)) # redirects to the home page
+
+
+def notify_winner(winner, item): # emails a user if they win an auction
+    message = "you have won the "+item.item_name+" auction!!" # not allowing me to send an email with a link in it, coming in blank
+    winner_email = winner.email
+    send_email("pythonflaskemail@gmail.com", "josephlees79@gmail.com", message) # changed reciever to reduce spam when testing
+
+    
+def notify_outbid(user, item): # emails a user if they are outbid
+    message = "you have been outbid on the "+item.item_name+" auction!" # wont allow me to put a link in the email
+    outbid_email = user.email
+    send_email("pythonflaskemail@gmail.com", "josephlees79@gmail.com", message)
+                    
         
-    return redirect(url_for('routes.my_items')) # redirects to the home page
\ No newline at end of file
+def send_email(sender, reciever, message): # sends the email using smtplib module
+    password = "Python150*"
+    
+    server = smtplib.SMTP("smtp.gmail.com", 587)
+    server.starttls()
+    server.login(sender, password)
+    server.sendmail(sender, "josephlees79@gmail.com", message)
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/auction/static/images/2.jpg b/auction/static/images/2.jpg
index db38c8d..bb0a51e 100644
Binary files a/auction/static/images/2.jpg and b/auction/static/images/2.jpg differ
diff --git a/auction/static/images/4.jpg b/auction/static/images/4.jpg
index bb0a51e..777eab6 100644
Binary files a/auction/static/images/4.jpg and b/auction/static/images/4.jpg differ
diff --git a/auction/templates/home_page.html b/auction/templates/home_page.html
index c706c20..a8c7e05 100644
--- a/auction/templates/home_page.html
+++ b/auction/templates/home_page.html
@@ -8,28 +8,38 @@
 <!-- displays a list of all the items for sale on the website -->
 <div class="row">
   {% for item in items %} <!-- for loop prints information about each item -->
-    {% if item.sold == False %}
-    <div class="col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 mb-4"> <!-- moves cards underneath eachother when tab is small -->
+    {% if item.sold == False %} <!-- only shows items that are not sold or expired -->
+    {% if dt < item.auction_end %}
+      <div class="col-12 col-md-6 col-lg-4 mb-4"> <!-- moves cards underneath eachother when tab is small -->
         
-      <!-- creates a card that displays a picture and info about the item-->
-      <div class="card" style="width: 18rem;">
+        <!-- creates a card that displays a picture and info about the item-->
+        <div class="card" style="width: 18rem;">
 
-        <!-- gets the relavent image from the static/images folder under the item_id.jpg -->
-        <img class="card-img-top border-bottom" src="/static/images/{{item.item_id}}.jpg">
-        <div class="card-body">
-          <h5 class="card-title">{{item.item_name}}</h5>
-          <main class="card-text">£{{item.start_bid}}</main>
+          <!-- gets the relavent image from the static/images folder under the item_id.jpg -->
+          <img class="card-img-top border-bottom" src="/static/images/{{item.item_id}}.jpg">
+          <div class="card-body">
+            <h5 class="card-title">{{item.item_name}}</h5>
             
-          {% for user in users %}
-            {% if user.id == item.user_id%}
-              <p><small class="card-text text-muted">Added by {{user.username}} on {{item.date_only}}</small></p>
+            <!-- shows different variables depending on if the item has been bid on before -->
+            {% if item.current_bid == 0 %} 
+              <main class="card-text">£{{item.price}}</main>
+            {% else%}
+              <main class="card-text">Current bid: £{{item.current_bid}}</main>
             {% endif %}
-          {% endfor %}
             
-          <a href="{{ url_for('routes.item_info', item_id=item.item_id) }}">More information</a>
+            <!-- shows who the seller is -->
+            {% for user in users %}
+              {% if user.id == item.user_id%}
+                <p><small class="card-text text-muted">Added by {{user.username}} on {{item.date.strftime("%d/%m/%Y")}}</small></p>
+              {% endif %}
+            {% endfor %}
+            
+            <!-- link to the specific item page -->
+            <a href="{{ url_for('routes.item_info', item_id=item.item_id) }}">More information</a>
+          </div>
         </div>
       </div>
-    </div>
+    {% endif %}
     {% endif %}
   {% endfor %}
 </div>
diff --git a/auction/templates/my_items.html b/auction/templates/my_items.html
index fcbb3af..5ffca24 100644
--- a/auction/templates/my_items.html
+++ b/auction/templates/my_items.html
@@ -24,8 +24,8 @@ but just displays the items the current user has up for sale -->
             
             <!-- shows a sold badge if the item has been marked as sold -->
             <h5 class="card-title">{{item.item_name}} <span class="badge bg-success text-light">Sold</span></h5>
-            <main class="card-text">£{{item.start_bid}}</main>
-            <p><small class="card-text text-muted">Added on {{item.date_only}}</small></p>
+            <main class="card-text">Sold for: £{{item.current_bid}}</main>
+            <p><small class="card-text text-muted">Added on {{item.date.strftime("%d/%m/%Y")}}</small></p>
             
             <!-- dropdown with user actions regarding the item -->
             <div class="dropdown">
@@ -38,12 +38,30 @@ but just displays the items the current user has up for sale -->
                 <li><a class="dropdown-item text-danger" href="{{ url_for('routes.item_delete', item_id=item.item_id)}}">Delete item</a></li>
               </ul>
             </div>
+          
+          {% elif dt > item.auction_end %}
+            <!-- shows an expired badge if the auction has expired -->
+            <h5 class="card-title">{{item.item_name}} <span class="badge bg-danger text-light">Expired</span></h5>
+            {% if item.current_bid > 0 %}
+              <p class="card-text">Mark as sold to continue</p>
+              <a class="btn btn-danger" href="{{ url_for('routes.sold', item_id=item.item_id)}}" role="button">Mark as sold</a>
+            
+            {% elif item.current_bid == 0 %}
+              <p class="card-text">Item did not sell</p>
+              <a class="btn btn-danger" href="{{ url_for('routes.item_delete', item_id=item.item_id)}}" role="button">Delete item</a>
+            {% endif %}
             
           {% else %}
             
             <h5 class="card-title">{{item.item_name}}</h5>
-            <main class="card-text">£{{item.start_bid}}</main>
-            <p><small class="card-text text-muted">Added on {{item.date_only}}</small></p>
+            
+            {% if item.current_bid == 0 %}
+              <main class="card-text">£{{item.price}}</main>
+            {% else%}
+              <main class="card-text">Current bid: £{{item.current_bid}}</main>
+            {% endif %}
+            
+            <p><small class="card-text text-muted">Added on {{item.date.strftime("%d/%m/%Y")}}</small></p>
             
             <!-- dropdown with user actions regarding the item -->
             <div class="dropdown">
diff --git a/auction/templates/sell.html b/auction/templates/sell.html
index 6b99e59..ac0cbd5 100644
--- a/auction/templates/sell.html
+++ b/auction/templates/sell.html
@@ -16,13 +16,13 @@
   </div>
     
   <div class="form-group">
-    <label for="start_bid">Starting bid</label>
+    <label for="price">Starting price</label>
     <div class="input-group mb-2">
       <div class="input-group-prepend">
         <div class="input-group-text">£</div>
       </div>
       <!-- adds validation against non-numeric and negative inputs -->
-      <input type="number" min="1" class="form-control" id="start_bid" name="start_bid" placeholder="starting bid" required/>
+      <input type="number" min="0.01" step=".01" class="form-control" id="price" name="price" placeholder="starting price" required/>
     </div>
   </div>