A Dinky toy lorry achieved a world record price when it was sold at auction yesterday.

The maroon eight-wheeled Foden chain lorry fetched £12,000 when it was sold by auction house Vectis, of Stockton, Tees-side.

The toy was made in 1952 and would have originally cost 19s 6d - just under £1 in today's money.

The Foden broke two records - it was the highest priced post-war Dinky to be sold and the highest priced Dinky lorry to come on to the market.

It was the second highest price ever achieved for a Dinky vehicle. A Bentall's van achieved £12,650 a few years ago.

There was fierce bidding at the saleroom, in Buckinghamshire, which was packed with more than 150 people. Telephone bids were also being taken from countries including the US, Greece, and France.

The Foden was eventually sold to a collector from the North-West, who wishes to remain anonymous.

Garry Hunt, from Vectis, said: "Dinky only made this lorry for six months and probably stopped because it wasn't selling.

"It is an unusual colour and probably was not that attractive to children. They probably bought Dinkys that were more colourful.

"The lorry was in exactly the same condition as when it was made, so it was both rare and mint, and that's what collectors are looking for."

Bryan Goodall, chairman of Vectis, said: "In the last year, Dinky toys have become real investment items with prices rising by between ten per cent and 15 per cent for good and boxed examples.

"With huge uncertainty over stocks, shares, and other investments, people are putting their money into other things and one of them is toys.

He added: "Dinky toys are high on the investment list as their value has grown consistently over recent years. In fact, prices continue to grow.

"Like everything else, prices can go down as well as up, but that is less likely in this case because these toys are no longer made and interest in them continues."

The Dinky auction realised £184,000 and the following day an auction of tinplate dolls and teddy bears fetched £136,000 in total.

Other highlights of the toy cars auction included two Carette cars from 1905 and 1910, that made £11,750 and £11,300 respectively,