A wooden bomb sight thought to be the only surviving example of those used during the Dambusters' daring raid on Nazi Germany, has sold at a UK auction for just under $80,000.

The mahogany fixture was among a series of items connected to the famous 1943 bombing run which fetched a total of STG75,000 when they went under the gavel on Tuesday.

The aim sight, which had been expected to fetch STG25,000, was up for sale alongside a map light and a parallelogram that were all used on a Lancaster bomber, which breached the Mohne dam.

Auctioneer Jonathan Humbert said there had been huge global interest in the unique memorabilia.

Also among the lots was a set of marbles used by the inventor Barnes Wallis to test the feasibility of the bouncing bomb, which went for STG27,200.

The map light and parallelogram fetched STG5350 in total, during the auction in Northamptonshire.

"The overwhelming interest we have had in these items is testament to the bravery and heroism of the the men who risked their lives in Operation Chastise," Humbert said.

"These historical items, much like the story of the Dambusters, have really captured the imagination and I am delighted that the auction has met with such resounding success."

The items were all sold to private buyers.