FOUR military decorations including a Military Medal belonging to a Falklands hero have been sold at auction in North Dorset for more than £48,000, setting what is believed to be a new world record.

The group of four medals awarded to Sgt Tom Collins of the Poole-based Special Boat Service were sold at the Charterhouse Auction of collectors items in Sherborne.

It is thought to be the largest amount ever paid for a group of medals including the Military Medal.

Sgt Collins had decided to sell his medals to avoid any potential arguments between his four children later in life.

"I spoke with him on numerous occasions before the auction during which time he came across as a very modest man who has lead a varied life," said Charterhouse partner Richard Bromell.

"When we talked about his Military Medal he cited no one special operation in the Falklands - just that he was kept very busy!"

With nearly 10 telephone lines booked on the lot, several commission bids and plenty of private collectors and dealers in the salesroom, a bidding war soon started with an opening bid of £15,000 against an estimate of £5,000-£10,000.

Sgt Collins was sent to East Falkland during the 1982 conflict, where he led a four-man team to reconnoitre possible landing sites.

He and his team dug into the hillside overlooking Ajax Bay in San Carlos Water and stayed there undetected for 16 days.

Had they been discovered, there would have been no hope of rescue. In addition, the landing and perhaps the whole operation would have been in jeopardy.

The men stayed in hides which were 18-inch scrapes covered with chicken wire, hessian and grass which had to be tediously replanted every night earning them the nick-name the Interflora Squad.