THE spear which may have killed legendary explorer Captain Cook raised £135,000 at auction yesterday, despite original estimates that it would raise just £2,000.

Edinburgh auctioneers Lyon and Turnbull sold the weapon, which has been fashioned into a walking stick, to an anonymous private buyer from London.

A request that the new owner exhibit the spear at the Captain Cook Birthplace Museum in Marton, Middlesbrough, will be passed on to her.

Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland MP Ashok Kumar has sent a letter to the auction house making the request.

The stick has been handed down through the family of one of Cook's fellow naval officers, and bears the inscription "From Adml. CBH Ross to Admiral Sir David Milne, GCB. Made of the spear that killed Captn.Cook R.N."

Original estimates put its value at about £2,000 but by the time of the auction the reserve price was £12,000 to £18,000, and the bidding started at £20,000.

A spokesman for Lyon and Turnbull said: "This figure was way above our expectations and the family of Admiral Milne are very happy. The new owner is a woman from London and is herself a great traveller."

A spokesman for the museum, which has two clubs reputed to be involved in Cook's killing, said it would be delighted to exhibit the spear.

Cook was born in Marton on October 20, 1728, the son of a farm labourer. He was killed by natives on Hawaii in 1779.

During a previous stay on the island, they had viewed Cook as a god, but it is believed they turned against him on his second visit after he accused them of stealing. A mob of thousands stabbed and clubbed him to death.