A 12-year-old boy has sold a pair of David Beckham's football boots for �1,762 and is buying a telescope with the proceeds.

Christopher Hawkins from Swindon won the boots in an internet competition, but then revealed he has no great interest in football and does not like Manchester United.

He placed the boots in a football memorabilia auction at Christie's in London on Tuesday.

Sportland, an Estonian retail chain, bought the boots and intends to show them off in its stores throughout the Baltic states.

The Copa Italia won by Torino in 1943

The size eight match-worn black, red and white Adidas Predator leather boots are from the 1997-8 season.

They have a number two on the heel and the word "Beck's" is embroidered on the tongues.

Christopher's mother Lynn, 51, said: "He's not a great football follower and if any, he would go for Newcastle United, my father's team, rather than Manchester United.

"The boots have been in the display cabinet but we've had a spring-clean at home and there's nowhere to put them.

"But it is his decision to sell them.

"He wants to buy a telescope and put some money away for the future in case he wants to go to university.

"He loves astronomy and also he needs equipment for Tae-kwondo."

The biggest sale at the auction was a trophy won by the great Italian side Torino six years before its players were killed in a plane crash.

The Coppa Italia, won in 1943, was bought by Francesco Cimminelli, a major shareholder of the club.

He paid �47,000 for the trophy and now plans to donate it to Torino.

Other highlights of the sale of 300 lots included two 19th Century balls from FA Cup matches.

Anonymous buyer

One, from the 1888 final, made �32,900 while the other, from an 1887 semi-final, made �16,450.

Both were bought by the same anonymous buyer.

England captain Bobby Moore's number six Fulham shirt worn in his last-ever English league match in 1977 failed to sell.

In total, the sale made �323,854 with 90% of its items sold.