Queen Victoria's bloomers sell for £1,000 at auction

A pair of Queen Victoria's silk bloomers have sold for £1,000 at auction.

The royal underwear is approximately 44in (112cm) at the waist and embroidered with the initials VR.

It came from a vendor whose great aunt was a friend of Susan Heard, a lady's maid in London.

The bloomers were sold at Clevedon Salerooms and auctioneer Toby Pinn said there had been interest from around the world.

Mr Pinn said the "open drawers" style, which have a hole down the middle, was "to make visiting the toilet a lot easier".

A number two embroidered on the bloomers was there to ensure they were worn in rotation "so they would never wear out."

The auctioneer said it was "understood that ladies-in-waiting exchanged garments of their employers at social gatherings" and the owner had included a letter of provenance.