Classic car chase plates on sale

Michael Caine starred alongside the famous cars

Memorabilia from the classic 1969 film the Italian Job is to go under the hammer in Cumbria this weekend.

The registration plates from the three Mini Coopers used in the movie's famous car chase, are to be part of a classic cars auction in the Lake District.

The sale has been organised by the Italian Job fan club and is expected to raise £40,000 for the charity NCH which cares for deprived and abused children.

The auction will take place at Dalemain House, Ulswater, on Sunday.

The nationwide Italian Job fan club was set up in 1990 and has so far raised more than £2m for children's charities by organising Mini Cooper rallies.

Freddy St George, founder of the organisation, said: "It is fair to say that everyone involved is a complete nut about the film and I have watched it hundreds of times.

'Saucy film'

"The film has been an inspiration to raise money for children. "We are 100-strong now and take our minis every year to Turin to try and retrace the steps of the film.

"We don't drive down the steps of the church though, during the original film they just swung this - did the stunt without getting local permission and apologised later."

The Italian Job is a crime caper starring Michael Caine as a bullion thief.

Just out of prison he plans a £4m gold bullion heist and creates a diversion in the streets of Turin by causing a traffic jam with the Mini Coopers and a bus leading to the famous car chase scene.

Mr St George added: "It was just such a cheeky, saucy cockney film, it is totally non-PC and just sensational."