A NORTH-EAST whistle and trolley bus plaque have been sold at one of the region's auction houses.

Thomas Watson's auctioneers in Darlington sold the Darlington Corporation Driver 54 plaque and Darlington crested whistle for £130 earlier this month.

A spokeswoman for the auctioneers said: "Early examples of trolley bus collectables and items of this type have a strong collectors' following, and with the Darlington crest and connection, attracted local enthusiasts as well as interest from further afield."

Thomas Watson, established in 1840, has appeared on BBC1's Bargain Hunt and is due to be shown on BBC2's Flog It show.