A WORLD record price has been paid at the Canterbury Auction Galleries for an enamel advertising sign which fetched a staggering £28,000.

It was one of a collection of 10 enamel and mirrored signs from the estate of a Herne Bay woman which raised more than £45,000.

But the early 20th century BP sign, which featured a racing car crossing the finishing line, really caught the attention of collectors.

It was listed with a guide price of £600-£800, but a packed auction room in Station Road West in the city watched in amazement as a bidding war developed between two collectors for the rare sign, of which only 15 are thought to be in existence.

The signs had been acquired by a man from Fulham during the 1960s and 1970s who subsequently moved to Herne Bay with his wife.

When he died they were kept by his wife but, following her death, the family decided to put them up for auction.

A very high price of £10,500 was also paid for the largest sign, which had a shipping theme.

Auctioneer Cliona Kilroy said: "It was an astonishing price and we later learned the BP sign was particularly rare.

"But what really got collectors excited was the superb condition of the signs which only had chipping around the fixing holes.

"A relative of the family who was at the auction was stunned at the prices but was having to deal with it under very sad circumstances. She was, however, introduced to the buyer of the BP sign afterwards."

The sign buyer is from Yorkshire.