Sir John's Bafta sold for �4,800

Art lovers mixed with thespians in the London sale room, as actor and director Lord Attenborough proved one of the keenest buyers.

He picked up a collection of cushions - one of which decorated with needlework depicting Sir John's home, South Pavillion in Wooton Underwood, Buckinghamshire, for �1,320.

Lord Attenborough also bought a gold carved wood fire screen in Louis XV style for �1,440.

In all, 598 lots were on offer, raising �1,106,647 for actors' charities and animal welfare groups.

Other items under the hammer included Sir John's Panama hat, gloves and cigarette case, which raised �1,800.

Sir John's Panama hat went for �1,800

A collection of 27 volumes of JM Dent pocket editions of Shakespeare's works, which Sir John started collecting at drama school, sold for �21,200, six times the estimate.

Many of the volumes contained annotations from Sir John for theatrical performances.

A copy of Shakespeare's Hamlet with a note reading "bequeathed to me in his will by Laurence Olivier" raised �25,800.

A spokesman said: "It was a very exciting day with lots of surprises. It was rather appropriate that Sir John's possessions were sold this way because there is a lot of drama involved in an auction."

The sale had been carried out on the instructions of the executors of Sir John's will.

Other paintings on offer included a Christopher Wood still life oil of daisies and cornflowers in a glass bowl, which sold for �40,750.