The plane was bought 21 years ago

The XL391 plane belonged to the RAF before it was bought 21 years ago by pilot Brian Bateson.

Mr Bateson set a reserve price of �6,000 - but with bidding open until Saturday he could make much more.

He said he did not mind how much the plane sells for - but a bid of more than �13,000 had been lodged on the site by Monday.

"I didn't really have any expectations. We put a minimum price of �6,000 on it and we thought we'd see how it went from there," he said.

Sold as seen

"We didn't think that was too greedy. It's got five engines in it, and they're worth a few bob each."

He said he had never flown it as it was "not practical", and it needed maintenance and an owner who could look after it.

At least 20,000 people have looked at the landmark plane online so far, but Mr Bateson made it clear that postage and packing was not included.

"It's sold as seen - where is, as is," he said.