A PENNY Black stamp dating from 1840 was one of 420 lots snapped up at the Petersfield and District Philatelic Society auction at the weekend.

The single stamp sold for £100, with the auction making around £4,000 in total, exceeding the proceeds of previous years. Stamp collectors from across the region, descended on Petersfield Community Centre in Love Lane on Saturday (March 12) for the auction which has run in the town for more than 30 years. Mixed lots containing albums of stamps from around the world were popular, as were albums of Great British stamps. Some albums were themed, on presidents, flowers and more.

The thriving society is celebrating 50 years this year. It meets on the first Monday of the month, at the community centre in Love Lane, at 7.30pm. All welcome.