ONE of the world’s rarest toys has gone under the hammer for more than £10,000 in a record-breaking sale in North Yorkshire.

The model vehicle – a large Lesney dumper truck – was produced in 1955 by the Matchbox car company as a prototype for a range of larger toys. But the toys never went into production as the company opted for the smaller version now known across the world.

Six prototypes were made and it is believed the one sold at the Matchbox Club’s 25th annual convention at the Holiday Inn, in Harrogate, is the only one to survive.

Its previous owner, 75-year-old Takuo Yoshise, flew in from Japan to attend the event and put the toy up for sale. Kevin McGimpsey, editor of the Matchbox Club’s magazine and convention organiser, said: “This truck is the Holy Grail for Matchbox enthusiasts and we are delighted that its sale has caused such a stir. Mr Yoshise has been the lucky owner of the only surviving example of these trucks since the early 1980s so we were all very excited when he told us he wanted to sell it here.”

The truck was sold to a mystery telephone bidder for £10,200 beating the convention’s previous record of £7,500.