Queen Victoria's 52in bloomers sell for £6,200

The bloomers have been in a Kent family for more than 80 years

A pair of Queen Victoria's silk bloomers with a 52in (132cm) waist have been sold at auction for £6,200.

The knee-length knickers were one of a number of lots to go the hammer at the sale at Westernhanger Auctioneers near Folkestone in Kent.

The auctioneer said the overseas buyer of the "very large" underwear wished to remain anonymous.

A pair of silk stockings, also worn by Britain's longest-serving monarch, sold for £1,100.

Auctioneer Michael Hogben said: "The items are very large.

"She wore them towards the end of her life when she had eaten a lot more than most people could afford to."

He said the bloomers were from about 1890.

He added: "When Queen Victoria died she gifted a lot of her under-linen to her loyal servants.

"These bloomers have been in a Kent family for more than 80 years.

"These are some of the most interesting items I have auctioned in my 40-year career."

Queen Victoria was on the throne for 63 years from 1837 until 1901