Vettriano completed the painting before 'reinventing himself'

Experts said the sale in Edinburgh demonstrated the high level of interest in the Fife painter.

The paintings, which were sold to a private collection in Scotland, were completed by the artist in the 1980s.

Vettriano recently brushed aside claims he had copied some of his most famous paintings from an art manual.

The works sold on Saturday - Three Girls Bathing in the Sea and Boy Boating - were completed by the artist nearly 20 years ago when he preferred to be known by his father's name, Hoggan.

In a way they're not really Vettrianos, they're pre-Vettriano Richard Longwill Auctioneer

Auctioneers said that, despite the controversy, his paintings would continue to attract huge interest both at home and abroad.

Spokesman Richard Longwill said: "You can be looking at several hundreds of thousands (of pounds) for a big one that's signed Vettriano.

"These, don't forget, are Jack Hoggans - before he reinvented himself. So, in a way they're not really Vettrianos, they're pre-Vettriano."

A letter from the pioneer of modern nursing, Florence Nightingale, also caused a stir when it was put up for sale at the auction by a family from Renfrewshire.

'Very important letter'

The correspondence to Sir Robert Rawlinson, dating from January 1861, referred to the engineer's designs for an infirmary - discussing ventilation, toilets and fire hazards.

Buyer Spike Hughes said: "It seemed very important to me because obviously she's discussing hospitals.

"It's not one just discussing family affairs or what's happened to her dog."