THE number plate AU 1, notably associated with the James Bond film Goldfinger, is up for sale with a price tag in excess of £300,000.

Primo Registrations, of Fleet in Hampshire, is offering the plate which once graced the vintage Rolls-Royce of notorious villain Auric Goldfinger in the 1964 film.

Peter Johnson, managing director of Primo Registrations said: "As iconic number plates go, this one has to be right up there with one of the best, not least of all because of the plate's association with the famed car used by Goldfinger and Oddjob to smuggle gold out of the country!

"It's also nothing new that short number plates are fast becoming increasingly popular, not only because of their aesthetically pleasing stature on any vehicle but because of their investment potential, too.

"The last time AU 1 sold, it realised a huge return on investment for its then-owner, and we anticipate the trend will only continue, especially with shorter plates. We can't wait to see where this one will go in the future - maybe it'll go onto another Rolls-Royce!"

With prices for similar two-letter, number one plates ranging from £100,000 to £500,000, AU 1 offers a unique opportunity for collectors to own a piece of cinematic history for in excess of £300,000.

There are no age restrictions associated with the number plate, meaning it can go on a car of any age, and the price includes VAT as well as the transfer fee.