The heads of John, right, and Virgil Tracy were both sold

Figures and props from the Thunderbirds children's TV show have been auctioned for �112,000 - over five times more than expected.

The only existing head of puppet astronaut John Tracy sold for �37,600 - despite being valued at just �6,000.

The 23 Thunderbirds items, which also included military uniforms and clothing, were only expected to sell for a total of �20,000.

But the only surviving figure from animated series Camberwick Green did not find a home. It was expected to fetch �2,000-�3,000.

Grown-up boys from the sixties are now very keen to buy back their childhood Hugo Marsh Christie's auctioneers

The show's creator Gordon Murray burned all of the other foam figures from Trumpton and Camberwick Green after they became worn out.

The Thunderbirds collection was saved from the rubbish dump by the seller's grandfather after the programme came to an end in the 1960s.

Hugo Marsh, head of toys at Christie's auctioneers, said: "I am absolutely flabbergasted but not entirely surprised.

"Grown-up boys from the sixties are now very keen to buy back their childhood.

International Rescue uniforms

"It also shows the virtue of not throwing anything away."

A Virgil Tracy puppet head, valued at �5,000-�6,000, ended up fetching �18,800, while a head of man servant Kyrano, with an estimate of �2,000-�3,000, sold for �11,750.

Scott Tracy's blue International Rescue cap plus trousers and pistol were bought for �3,055, while Alan Tracy's cream suit fetched �1,528.

More than 5,000 toy soldiers and military vehicles, dolls and Dinky and Corgi cars went under the hammer at Christie's in London on Thursday.