Ken McRae, 66, has become an expert on Dinky toys since he  began collecting them in earnest in the 1980s. The retired army officer owns some 2,500 models, with the most valuable item, a pre-war gift set of six saloon cars, worth up to £8,500.

McRae believes the value of his hoard is in excess of £300,000. He says: “My total outlay has been around £120,000. I suppose I could sell them and use the capital for a bigger pension, but at the moment I don’t need to and I’m still getting pleasure from them. If I were ever to dispose of them, I would put them into auction.