A BIDDING frenzy broke out when a unique collection of vintage Clacton arcade games went under the hammer.

Bidders broke the bank to get their hands on the historic games, with many selling for up to ten times more than expected.

Auctioneers hit the jackpot as one antique billiards game went for an astonishing £4,500 to an overseas bidder – its guide price was just £200.

A Magic City dancing figure sold for £620 and a Chamber of Horrors machine made £800. Both had guide prices of £60 to £100.

Many of the collectibles dated back to the 1920s and 1930s, but there was also a 1970s Space Invaders video game that sold for £190.

A replica 1901 Oldsmobile sold for £800 – four times its estimate – while a 1930s horse-racing games hit £1,200.

Expert Michael Bowles, of Colchester auctioneers Reeman Dansie, said: “They did fantastically well and achieved far more than we expected.

“The highlight was the billiards machine which made £4,500. I think it went to a buyer in the US.

“One chap who bought the bigger games was keen to stop them going overseas.

“He will restore them to their original condition for his own arcade.”