The first appearance of the famous detective Sherlock Holmes in print has sold for a stunning £15,500 at an auction for Oxfam today.

A Study In Scarlet, written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in 1887, was printed in Beeton's Christmas Annual and found in the Harrogate branch of Oxfam last year.

It had been expected to fetch between £7,000 and £9,000 but a flurry of bidding at Bonhams auctioneers in Park End Street, Oxford, saw it break through to £15,500.

There were telephone bidders however the winning bid came from the floor, although the identity of the new owner has not yet been released.

Oxfam spokesman Rob McNeil said: "This is fantastic news for Oxfam and a major contribution to our efforts to tackle poverty and injustice around the world."

It is one of 97 lots being sold today for Oxfam.