A dilapidated settee used by Winston Churchill has sold at auction for £7,500 ($12,400) despite its £50-80 estimate.

The red leather chesterfield is believed to have been Mr Churchill’s private sofa during his second spell as Prime Minister. It was found in the outhouse of a Northamptonshire rectory and was reportedly about to be thrown away before it was rescued and put up for sale.

The auction took place at J P Humbert in Northamptonshire last month and attracted interest from the US, Australia and South Africa. The buyer is hoping to have it restored.

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