Winnie the Pooh photos sold

Six-year-old Christopher Robin with Winnie the Pooh

A photo of Christopher Robin clutching his Winnie the Pooh teddy bear has been sold at auction for £3,500.

The previously unpublished black and white picture, showing the six-year-old son of Pooh author AA Milne, was part of a family album taken at their home.

Another item of interest to enthusiasts - a sketch by EH Shepard entitled Pooh lowers the Sail - was sold for £5,800.

The items were bought by two different, anonymous collectors at Dukes Auction House, Dorchester, Dorset, on Thursday.

Auctioneer Garry Batt told BBC News Online: "The auction house was surprised but pleased with the level of interest in the sale of these items."

"Pooh lowers the Sail" sketched by EH Shepard

Milne's creation Winnie the Pooh is one of the great heroes of 20th Century children's literature.

The books have been read by millions around the world. Films and videos have also been made about Pooh and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood.

The sketch entitled Pooh lowers the sail show Pooh, Eeyore, Piglet and friends in a sailing ship pulled by a horse landing at what looks like Toyland.

It were drawn by EH Shepard - who illustrated all the Pooh books.

The picture comes from a photograph album which contains a number of images of the Milne family at Cotchford farm in Hartfield, East Sussex, and a photo of a young Leslie Howard.