Memorabilia from Hollywood classic Gone With the Wind has been sold for �200,000 at auction.

The items from the 1939 epic, set against the backdrop of the American civil war, included a wool sweater worn by the actress Olivia de Havilland.

The sweater was one of the biggest sellers at Christie's auction house in New York on Wednesday.

It fetched �10,638, �7,000 more than had been expected.

Gone With the Wind, based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell, is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

Vivien Leigh won an Oscar for playing Scarlett O'Hara

It stars UK actress Vivien Leigh and Hollywood legend Clark Gable as the warring couple Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara.

The petticoat worn by Leigh, as the spoilt southern belle Scarlett, was bought for �4,180.

A final version of the movie's script went for �5,320. A copy of the novel signed by Mitchell raised almost �4,000.

Another hardback edition, once owned by actress Ona Munson - who portrayed whorehouse madame Belle Watling in the film - sold for �11,352.

In the book, the actress had underlined references to her character in red pencil. She had also had it signed by Leigh, de Havilland, Gable and director Victor Fleming.

Acclaim

The lots had been part of the world's largest collection of Gone With the Wind memorabilia, gathered over 40 years by Herb Bridges, who lives in the southern US state of Georgia.

Mr Bridges, 72, had exhibited them across the US as well as in Japan, France and Canada.

He decided to sell his treasures to raise money to invest for his grandchildren's education.

Gone With the Wind won eight Oscars, including the best actress award for Leigh.

In 1989, the film won the People's Choice award for the favourite motion picture of all time.