A life-size wax model of statesman Sir Winston Churchill was snapped up at auction yesterday for just short of £20,000.

The five-feet eight-inch model of Churchill, who successfully led Britain through the Second World War, was sold to a mystery buyer from Lincolnshire at the auction in South Cerney near Cirencester.

The waxwork, pictured, known as a glass-eyed portrait, is dressed in a frock coat and bow tie and dates from the time of Churchill's second spell as prime minister in 1951.

It boasts an articulated frame which means it can be moved into a seated position.

The sale attracted fierce bidding and had been expected to sell for between £7,000 and £10,000.

Including the buyers' premium, the piece eventually sold for £19,892.

Dominic Winter from Dominic Winter Book Auctions said: "We are absolutely delighted with the price that the waxwork fetched.

"It went for more than half the price we expected and bidding was extremely vigorous.

"Luckily it went to a gentleman who has bought Churchill goods in the past from us so we know he'll be going to a good home."