An iconic collection of Jack Richards lorries sold for a total of £147,658 at auction.

Fakenham & Wells Times: A collection of Jack Richards lorries were sold at auction. Picture: Supplied by Cheffins.A collection of Jack Richards lorries were sold at auction. Picture: Supplied by Cheffins. (Image: Archant)

They were acquired over many years by the founder of one of Fakenham’s most famous businesses and put on display in a museum.

The collection of 11 Jack Richards vehicles dating from 1946 to 2000 went up for sale at an auction at Cheffins in Sutton, near Ely, today.

Oliver Godfrey, director at Cheffins, said: “They went for what we expected, Some of these classic commercials can be difficult to sell, because of their size, but it was a fantastic result. There was massive interest before the sale and a huge crowd was here today.”

He said the buyers came from all across the country.

Fakenham & Wells Times: Jack Richards in front of one of his lorries. Picture: ArchantJack Richards in front of one of his lorries. Picture: Archant (Image: Archant)

“From Scotland, the West Country, they came from far and wide,” he added.

The highest bid was for a 2000 ERF EC11 38MT 6x2 diesel tractor which sold for £21,730.

Another highlight of the auction was a 1946 Seddon MK5 diesel lorry which is believed to be the second oldest Seddon in the country. This was fully restored in 2004 and sold for £14,840.

The first lorry bought by Jack Richards, a 1952 Bedford ‘O’ Type which he acquired in 1956 for £150, sold for £9,540.

Collected by Jack Richards himself, with the help of his son Anthony, the collection was completed in 2010 and was housed in a bespoke building near Fakenham and opened to the public as a museum.

However, with the number of visitors to the museum falling, the family reluctantly decided put the collection up for sale.

Following Mr Richards’ death in 2014 aged 90, the private museum remained open to visitors and was enjoyed by many. However, in recent years the level of visitors waned and the wonderful collection was no longer being appreciated.

The family were offering the collection for sale due to continued business expansion.

Jack Richards came to Fakenham in 1971 with just five vehicles and went on to run a multi-million pound road transport company.

His son, Anthony, still runs the company as executive chairman.