1RAN number plate collects more than £73k at auction

It was one of a number placed up for auction by Humbert & Ellis Auctioneers in Northamptonshire

A rare number plate "of interest to athletes or ambassadors alike" has sold for more than predicted at auction.

The plate, 1RAN (Iran), was expected to sell for up to £50,000, but sold for £73,500, including buyers' fees, from a starting point of £38,000.

It was one of a number placed up for auction by Humbert & Ellis Auctioneers in Northamptonshire.

Other plates that sold were T 32 for £22,000, A1 BAD for £9,800 and L6 GAL (Legal) for £4,000.

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Another plate first issued in 1910, UK6, seven years after number plates were introduced, remains open to online bids until Sunday.

The UK6 number plate has been in private ownership for more than 50 years

Humbert & Ellis recently sold a number plate with the "head-turning" TAX 1 emblazoned on it for £92,000.

Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert said: "We are delighted with the result on these number plates."

He said the sales demonstrated "the clear and buoyant market in plates that are in sale and offered at a sensible and measured estimate".