Dinky toys are very popular with collectors

Stockton-On-Tees auctioneers, Vectis, got such a high price for the Dinky toy because of its rarity.

The maroon-coloured Foden miniature cost just 19 shillings when it was made in 1952, but proved unpopular with children who preferred Dinky's more glamorous sports car models.

Now, however, the item is the most expensive post-war Dinky toy and Foden lorry after being sold at an auction in Buckingham on Wednesday.

Experts say the truck brought so much because it was only on sale for six months and was seen as mundane.

Perfect condition

Gary Hunt, Dinky specialist with Vectis, said: "This toy is rare because nobody wanted it.

"The colour is a bit drab and the item was fairly expensive in those days."

Because of this, it remained unsold and in perfect condition in a shop.

It was finally given a home when an English collector snapped it up.

He was described as looking slightly shocked after paying the five-figure price.

Early models

Dinky toys are worthy investments with experts saying their value goes up by 15% to 20% a year.

The Dinky lorry was among �200,000 worth of items sold at the auction.

Dinky Toys were the brainchild of miniature train maker Frank Hornby and were first made in 1934 at the sprawling Binns Road site in Liverpool.

About 1,000 different individual models were created and production continued - with a break during the war - until 1980.

The first models produced were a six-pack of a sports coupe, motor truck, sports car, delivery van, army tank and a farm tractor.