NUMBER PLATES AUCTIONED

Number plates from the Mini Coopers which starred in the classic 1969 film the Italian Job - alongside Michael Cain - are to go under the hammer.

The three plates are expected to fetch up to £20,000 in the sale at Cheffins auctioneers in Cambridge on 26 January.

They are: HMP 729G, which was also Michael Caine's prison number; LGW 809G, the gang's flight number and GPF 146G, from the Grand Prix Flag.

They were removed from the cars after filming and kept in private hands.

The getaway in the Mini Coopers through the streets of Turin is often voted the best movie car chase of all time.

"These are certainly a lot for the dedicated Italian Job fan - or maybe Michael Cain himself might be interested," said a Cheffins spokesman.

The Italian Job was remade in 2003 starring Mark Wahlberg and Charlize Theron.