VINTAGE toys went under the hammer in a festive auction.

The classic presents were part of a collectors’ sale at Colchester’s Reeman Dansie auction house.

Among the toys from decades past were a Meccano set in its original box and a Bassett-Lowke model Flying Scotsman train.

There were also glass and ceramic pieces sold during the two-day sale plus a large collection of stamps and local postcards.

The sale raised more than £170,000 altogether with the highlights being one stamp collection raising more than £11,000.

Michael Bowles, a collectors’ consultant at the Wyncoll’s Road auction house, said: “There were some really beautiful pieces among the lots.

“One of my favourites was a 1940s Chad Valley bus which would have been filled with sweets and given as a Christmas present." This raised £380.

Mr Bowles said: "We live in much more of a throw-away society now.

“Some of these items here have their original boxes and items inside are still in excellent order.

“But many modern items are in blister-type packs which you have to rip to get in to so they are ruined straight away.

“It's a nostalgic time at Christmas especially with these older toys because many people would have had them themselves at Christmas as presents and the lots remind them of their youth.

“People are also looking for obscure presents and in an auction room it is not like buying something off the shelf.”