The number six shirt is one of only two belonging to the late Bobby Moore which was made for the final in which England beat West Germany 4-2 at Wembley.

Bidding was frantic at the auction at Wolverhampton Wanderers' Molineux ground and the shirt was eventually bought by an anonymous telephone bidder, believed to be a private collector.

It had been expected to fetch up to £10,000.

Global interest

All players in the final had two shirts, one in which to play, the other for promotional purposes or for use if one was swapped at the end of the game.

The shirt sold on Tuesday was not worn during the match.

The actual jersey donned by the West Ham and England favourite in the final is believed to be in the possession of Moore's first wife, Tina.

Auctioneer John Mullock said: "This shirt attracted global interest, not just from collectors but from consortiums, investors and museums.

"This is because the final was the only game during the 1966 World Cup that England wore red shirts."