Chippenham Auction Rooms are expecting their latest sale – a full-size working Victorian carousel – to send buyers into a spin.

It is being auctioned by sealed bids on Wednesday, and is expected to fetch in the region of £100,000.

The carousel was the centrepiece of the Yesterday’s World museum in Great Yarmouth.

It spent the 60 years until 2008 as the main attraction on the pier at Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex.

Richard Edmonds, principal auctioneer at Chippenham Auction Rooms, said: “It’s very rare that such a well-preserved, fully functioning Victorian carousel comes on the market.

“We’ve been surprised by the high level of interest which is coming from both the UK and Europe. In all likelihood it will go to someone who is going to use it as a working attraction.

“What makes this particular set of gallopers so special is the amount of love and attention to detail that’s been put into their restoration.

“During its lifetime literally millions of people have enjoyed riding on this beautiful attraction.

“There’s no reason why that enjoyment shouldn’t continue for many years to come.”

Before 1948 it is believed to have been owned by a travelling fair that criss-crossed the country during the late Victorian era and first half of the 20th century.

Fully restored to its former glory in 2007, the electric-powered carousel features 30 horses, known as gallopers, and a number of wooden sleighs.

It was built in 1889 by one of England’s leading manufacturers of fairground rides, Frederick Savage of Kings Lynn, the so-called ‘genius of fun’.

For more details call 01249 444544 or visit www.chippenhamauctionrooms.co.uk