A RARE pre-war toy van could fetch up to £5,000 at a specialist auction in Poole next week.

The Dinky Fenwick Van, believed to be one of only six in existence, is part of Cottees Auction's first Collectable Toy and Model Railway sale from its new Poole premises.

A number of other boxed sets of toys from the 1930s will also feature in the sale, including a postal set with a Royal Mail van, post boxes and a miniature postman.

Cottees' antique toy expert Nell Hilditch explained: "The toys have been well looked after, but the star of the show is a rare Dinky Fenwick Van in very good original condition, with an estimate £3000-£5000."

The model was produced in 1939 as a promotional piece for the Fenwick department store in Newcastle, and it is believed that there are only six in existence, added Nell.

She said: "Dinky Toys began producing die-cast vehicles in 1933 to complement their O gauge railway sets.

"Pre-war Dinky Toys can now be hard to find as many were scrapped in the war effort or suffered from metal fatigue, causing cracking and disintegration."

The sale will also feature a collection of lead figures, including the infamous ‘Village Idiot’, which is hoped will make between £50-£70.

Cottees, which relocated to Poole from Wareham in the New Year, is also offering a HO gauge brass American collection, and a selection of live steam models.

The auction takes place from 10am on Friday January 29 at Cottees’ new purpose-built premises in Mannings Heath, Poole.

Viewing is available on Wednesday January 27, between 10am-4pm, and Thursday January 28, between10am-7pm.