A VICTORIAN train carriage that has remained in a New Forest field for nearly 100 years could sell for £10,000 at auction.

The carriage, which has been identified as a Great Western Railway First Class carriage dating to approximately 1855, has been in the same ownership for over 100 years.

After many years of travelling, the carriage was put in a field and covered up in a makeshift shed around 1930.

About 90 years later the carriage was unearthed by a family member who decided to clear the land.

Charterhouse Auctioneers director, Richard Bromwell said: "Over the decades I have seen the weird and the wonderful but never did I think I would be asked to look at train carriage in the middle of a field.

"Normally we are asked to sell model railways carriages so this is a first for me as an auctioneer in 36 years."

Once the owner of the carriage cleared away all brambles and decades of scrap metal and rubbish, he asked local train enthusiasts to look at it, which led to its identification.

The carriage is largely original, although it now requires major restoration, repair and conservation.

The roof has survived but all the glass was smashed by vandals when it was unearthed and a fair amount of wood is rotten or missing and the floor is collapsing.

However, bronze fittings such as the door handles stamped G.W.R. SWINDON, remain in place.

The carriage will be entered into Charterhouse's two day auction on July 8 and 9.