A rare 1979 Massey Ferguson 1250 tractor fetched £24,000 at a Cheffins machinery auction in Suffolk this week.

Only 322 MF 1250 models were made by the company, which has led to them becoming a sought-after collector’s item. A similar but much more popular model from the same range, such as the MF 1200, regularly fetches only £5,000-6,000.

Bill King, chairman of Cheffins, said: “This week’s auction definitely exceeded expectations. As well as the very collectable Massey Ferguson, we had a number of modern machines up for grabs. A 2009 New Holland combine harvester went for more than £100,000, for example.

Leslie and James Barford from Londonderry snapped up the MF 1250 bidding over the phone for the classic vehicle.

Leslie Barford said: “This machine looked to be in great ex-farm condition and has been well looked after throughout its working life. It’s a real classic.”

The auction was held at Park Farm, Stanton, Suffolk, and the MF 1250 was part of a collection of vehicles sold by Tween & Carlick, following the sale of their farm.