AS if being shipped out to the US by the likely lads of Auf Wiedersehen Pet was not enough, the Middlesbrough Transporter Bridge could be sold for only £200.

But proud Teessiders need not worry about losing their landmark - this version would fit comfortably in the average bedroom.

The Meccano bridge has been presented to Thomas Watson Auctioneers, in Darlington, and will be sold next week.

It was entered for auction by a Yorkshire collector who felt that the auctioneer's close proximity to Middlesbrough would guarantee a good price for the replica bridge.

Steven Dewar, of Thomas Watson, said: "Toys are fairly abundant here, in all shapes, sizes and colours, but to have something like this, that somebody has put so much effort into, is unusual.

"As auctioneers we do see many varied, unusual and obscure items passing through our sale rooms but the Transporter Bridge must be one of the biggest and most interesting."

The structure has been included in the auction sale for Tuesday, which starts at 10am. It carries an estimate of between £150 and £200.

The Transporter Bridge was built in 1911 and was in the national spotlight earlier this year when the BBC series Auf Wiedersehen Pet saw the characters dismantling it.

Local authorities reported that people were visiting Middlesbrough hoping for one last look at the landmark, unaware that the dismantling of the bridge was down to computer wizardy.