JCB took delivery of the machine around two years ago.

The JCB was driven through the perimeter fence and embedded in the Dome by raiders four years ago and remains damaged from then.

It will be auctioned at JCB's Rocester headquarters in Staffordshire on Tuesday by auctioneers Bury and Hilton.

John Hilton, from the firm, said it had to be the most unusual item to go under the hammer at a JCB auction.

This Sitemaster may be regarded as a collector's item and so the bidding could go considerably higher John Hilton

Armed raiders bulldozed the JCB into the Dome.

Hurling smoke bombs and ammonia the gang then headed to the Money Zone and took a collection of diamonds worth �350m.

Their attempt was thwarted by 100 police officers disguised as cleaners who had been watching the gang for four months.

"The machine is one of 500 lots, and it must be the most unusual item ever to come under the hammer at a JCB auction," said Mr Hilton.

"It is still in the damaged state it was left in after the raid on the Dome, there is a hole in the windscreen and the rear dipper is missing.

"Normally a machine like this may go for between �4,000 and �5,000 so that it can be re-conditioned, but this Sitemaster may be regarded as a collector's item and so the bidding could go considerably higher."

JCB took delivery of the machine from insurers once a court hearing surrounding the Dome raid was concluded about two years ago.