WORCESTER Rugby Football Club has been selected as the venue for a national public auction of private vehicle registration numbers, thought to be the first national event of its kind.

Worcester-based Auto-Identity Registration Auctions hopes to attract up to 1,000 entries from private owners of cherished and personalised registrations.

"Private number plates have become the ultimate car accessory and as such the value of quality registrations has risen dramatically over the last few years," said Stuart Allen, who is behind the venture.

Collections

"In addition to buying plates for their own cars, many people have built up quite large collections as an alternative investment portfolio, often retaining the numbers on DVLA Certificates rather than vehicles.

"It is these people that we are looking to contact us, although anyone with a suitable registration is welcome to apply."

For more information about the auction - due to take place on Wednesday, June 16, and Thursday, June 17, 2004 - phone Auto-Identity on 01905 748773 or click on: www.airal.co.uk