Historic civic plate is sold for £750,000

A historic number plate on the Lord Mayor's official vehicle is to be sold to the highest bidder for £750,000.

- by Don Mort

Leeds City Council has confirmed it has chosen a buyer for the plate, which the local authority has owned for more than 120 years, after considering two offers.

A sale of the civic plate, which bears the number 'U1', will help raise funds for the council, which must save more than £100 million in this financial year.

It is said to be the first car registration plate bought in Leeds after the Motor Car Act was passed in 1903.