A COLLECTION of 12 Cirencester street signs that were saved from the rubbish tip fetched £620 at auction - well above their estimate of £100 to £150.

There was fierce bidding in the salerooms at Moore Allen & Innocent in Cirencester, with a number of local publicans among those interested in acquiring the signs.

But the bidding rose into the mid-hundreds, leaving a local antiques trader and a telephone bidder from Sussex standing.

The handsome blue and white enamel signs, dating from the early part of the 20th century, were saved from disposal over 30 years ago, when the vendor saw council workers replacing them with new street signs.

The collection of 12 signs features Black Jack Street, Dollar Street, Chester Street, Sheep Street, Gosditch Street, Silver Street, Lewis Lane, The Avenue, Coxwell Street, Thomas Street and School Lane.

Auctioneer Philip Alwood said: "This was a fascinating collection. The vendor saw the historical value in these signs and rescued them. Now they have a monetary value and I am sure he is very happy with the amount they made at auction.

"A number of local publications were interested in acquiring those signs, and although they are not staying in the town it would be interesting to find out where the signs end up."

An etching of the now-demolished Fairford Park, meanwhile, has stayed in the locality, after being bought by a man from the town itself.

Fairford Park was built by the Cotswold mason Valentine Strong for wealthy landowner Andrew Barker in 1661. The mansion stayed in the family until 1945, when it was sold to Ernest Cook by the executors of Reginald Raymond-Barker's estate.

Damaged beyond repair while it was requisitioned by the Army during the second world war, the park was sold to the county council in 1955.

The house was demolished and replaced by Farmor's School, a move considered by some as "probably the most tragic of the 20th century house demolitions in the country."

Luckily, in its heyday of 1712, it was captured by the artist John Kip, who perfected the bird's eye view perspective centuries before man took to the air.

An etching of Fairford, the Seat of Samuel Barker, achieved £260, above its estimate of £60 to £90.

"The picture was bought by a private buyer who lives in Fairford," said Philip. "It's quite possible he can see his house - or at least the area where his house now stands- in this picture and I am sure it will make a fine and interesting feature in his home."

The next sale - a speciality auction of sporting memorabilia and antiques - will be held on Friday from 10am at the Norcote Salerooms. For more information about buying or selling antiques log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk or call 01285 646050.