No-one predicted the hammer would come down on such a huge sum on Wednesday, the first day of the Agency’s three-day sale staged at the Stratford Manor Hotel.

The expectations were immediately cast aside as the bidding war started at £12,600.

A fierce battle between four rival bidders, all in the auction room, ensued and, just as the auctioneers’ gavel was about to fall at £50,000, the mystery man stepped in with what proved to be three significant bids.

The final winning bid was £61,000. However, the total amount paid was £79,100 because of the VAT on the hammer price, buyer’s premium, VAT on the buyer’s premium, and assignment fee.

Jody Davies, DVLA Personalised Registrations’ Events Manager, said: “What a way to start our 2012 programme? We were hopeful DH11 LON would create some interest, but no one predicted it would fetch such a high figure. We are delighted, of course, but a little stunned.”

The DVLA expect to make £3 million for the Treasury in three days at Stratford Manor Hotel.

They have 1,500 plates on auction, selling non-stop from 9am-5pm from Wednesday-Friday.

Since they first started selling personalised number plates in 1989, the DVLA have made £1.3billion for the Treasury.

Last year, the Agency made £16million from six auctions held around the country, and including online purchases this total increased to £65million.