Number plate auctioned for £250k

Rob Harverson planned to spend £150,000 on the number plate

A retired businessman from Surrey has paid almost £250,000 for a personalised number plate at an auction.

Rob Harverson, 47, paid a total of £247,652.50 for the registration 1 RH, 30 times more than the reserve price.

The multi-millionaire, who owns 10 private plates, out-bid Richard Harris, a businessman from Skegness.

A spokesperson for the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) said they were stunned at the price of one of its last "jewels in the crown".

It was one of 1,600 registrations being sold at a three-day DVLA event at the Tankersley Manor Hotel, near Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

Mr Harverson said: "I came with £150,000 to spend but, in the end, I was just determined to buy 1 RH and nothing was going to stop me.

"Richard made me sweat a little but it is the ultimate registration for me."

The final payment included his winning bid of £197,000 plus auctioneers' commission, VAT and the £80 transfer fee.

Damian Lawson, marketing manager for DVLA Personalised Registrations, said: "I'm absolutely delighted for the agency. The sum 1 RH achieved far exceeded our expectations."