Toy collections set to make £1m

The auction will feature Matchbox cars and trains

A collection of 30,000 Matchbox toys is expected to raise £1m in a series of auctions on Teesside.

Collectors from all over the world are expected to descend on Vectis Toys, in Thornaby, to bid for the tiny trains and cars, some more than 50 years old.

One highlight of the sale is a dumper truck made in 1958 with a price tag of between £1,500 and £2,000.

The auctions will be held over five days over the next two months with the first sale on Tuesday, 7 September.

Matchbox toy specialist Andrew Reed said film memorabilia such as model James Bond cars in good condition were expected to attract a lot of interest.

'Worldwide appeal'

Mr Reed said: "Toys in perfect condition will fetch the biggest prices, but collectors are also interested in items that may be battered but have obviously been played with.

"Even toys which are only one or two years old can raise a few hundred pounds especially if they are limited editions.

"The sales will be live on the internet and we are expecting bids from all over the world".

Vectis recently sold a 1960 brown and red train for £1,700, but many items are more affordable starting from about £30.

Mr Reed believes the toys have a worldwide appeal because of their quality.

He said: "Many toys today do not last beyond Boxing Day because they are mass produced in China and Hong Kong and are not of the same quality.

"They are also not as detailed as the Matchbox toys."