A PIECE OF First World War memorabilia fetched six times its estimated worth at auction.

A pair of cavalry lances found on the wall in an old farmhouse in Marshwood Vale raced ahead of their guide price to sell for £620 at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood's recent sale.

The auction guide price for the lances was £100-£200, but with the sale going live on the internet, buyers from far and wide could purchase them.

Sally Bartlett, Dorset representative for the auctioneers, said: "I was asked by the owner, who was selling her farm, to assess the contents with a view to selling the more interesting or potentially valuable items at auction.

"There were a lot of interesting items, including the pair of fifth cavalry lances with red and white pennants that were displayed.

"They were 280 centimetres long and were offered for sale with a fifth Lancers lapel badge."

The fifth Lancers were established three centuries ago, and saw action in the Boer War, the First World War and the Second World War (as the 16th/fifth The Queen's Royal Lancers).

The regiment has two Victoria Crosses to its name.

The regiment also holds the title for the last British soldier to die in the First World War, Private George Edwin Ellison, who was killed by a sniper a short time before the Armistice came into effect.

Brian Goodison-Blanks, the auctioneer's specialist in collectables, toys, maritime and sporting items, said: "Items like this don't come up that often at auction.

"These particular types of pieces are in nice condition, and hadn't been messed around with, they were still in original condition.

"There was a lot of interest over the internet from London and internationally."

Wartime memorabilia appears to be in strong demand, and amongst the contents of another farmhouse in Marshwood Vale, there was a collection of First World War and Second World War cap badges and buttons, together with some Great Western Railway and Somerset Constabulary buttons, which found a buyer at £130.

Mr Goodison-Blanks said: "For the past three or four years, military items have been a very strong market as part of the centenary commemorations of the First World War.

"There has been a lot of interest because of the historic interest, with some families providing medals from their regiments.

"There has been a great deal of interest."