A SINGLE hair supposedly once belonging to French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte has sold for £150 at auction.

The strange relic, discovered in a draw at a Dorset property by auctioneer John Condie, went under the hammer at Cottees Auctions Limited, Wareham on Tuesday.

"Whether it was pinched when he was held in confinement on Saint Helena during the last six years of his life is a matter of conjecture but this was indeed an extraordinary find," explained Mr Condie.

"The vendor's family had stored the hair in a chest of drawers for many years before it fell into my hands."

The hair, which attracted a number of enquiries online, finally sold to a phone bidder for £150, including commission.

Napoleon's military and political career was effectively ended by his defeat at The Battle of Waterloo, which took place on June 18, 1815, in present day Belgium. The 200th anniversary of the battle takes place next week

The hair is held down with red wax and includes a note stating that the contents of the small fold of paper are 'a single hair of Napoleon Bonaparte's head, 29th August 1816' and another stating: 'Obtained 5 May 1821' - the date of his death.