Hello Kitty sold for $100,000

The statuette is studded with 250 diamonds

A platinum, diamond-studded statuette of Japan's favourite cat, Hello Kitty, has sold for 10.5m Yen ($102,450).

The figurine, which was made specially for the cartoon feline's 30th birthday, had been on sale since August.

A spokesman at a Mistukoshi department store in Osaka, would only say that the 4cm (2 inch) figurine was sold to a local customer.

Hello Kitty, launched in 1974 by Sanrio Co, can be found on everything from Japanese bank cards to taxis.

She is popular with both children and adults, and has brought fortune to her manufacturer.

However, Sanrio announced last week that it had suffered losses this year of 21.9bn Yen ($213m) on its theme park facilities, and was seeking financial aid.