A RARE medal given to children to celebrate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee is going under the hammer on the internet.

Thediamond-shaped souvenir was handed out to about 1,500 youngsters in Chester-le-Street who joined in the town's anniversary celebrations in 1897.

It is thought medals were given out to youngsters all over the country, although most of them appear to have been round.

The owner, who lives in the town and does not want to be identified, inherited it from his grand-parents and is selling it on the auction website eBay through specialist firm The Trading Assistants.

Gary Wilkinson, a partner in the firm, said: "Apparently 1,500 were given out in Chester-le-Street but only two have been found. It looks like a sort of brass and is diamond shaped with bits coming off it. I don't think it will get a lot of money but people in the region might be interested in it. It would be nice if it could stay in the region."

The piece went on eBay last Thursday for ten days.

Local historian and postcard collector George Nairn said he thought the Chester-le-Street medals were rare but had seen a couple of examples.

"There was one in a lovely velvet box. It was gold looking and I thought that it wouldn't have been given to the local kids.

"I discovered a lady in Chester-le-Street had one. It was four-sided, a bit like a diamond shape, and it wasn't very expensive looking.''

A spokeswoman for Beamish Museum said the museum already had some jubilee medals, possibly from other areas, but it could be interested in this one.

"We have no further information about whether these were sold or were distributed free.

"Once we have a bit more information about this medal we may consider purchasing it. It could be of interest."

The website address is www.ebay.co.uk