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A dozen bottles of rum that were found hidden away under layers of cobwebs and dirt have sold for almost £80,000.

The drink, which dates back to 1780, was discovered in the cellar of Harewood House in Leeds, in 2011.

They sold for a total of £78,255 - over six times the pre-sale estimate - at Christie’s wine and spirits auction.

Five bottle of dark rum fetched the top price selling for £8,225 each with the proceeds going to the Geraldine Connor Foundation which helps disadvantaged young people train in the performing arts.

David Elswood, international director of Christie’s Wine in Europe and Asia, said: “We are thrilled with the results for today’s sale of The 1780 Harewood Rum.

The 12 bottles of dark and light rum sold for a total of £78,255, making it both the oldest and most valuable rum ever sold at auction by Christie's.

"It is wonderful that all proceeds will benefit The Geraldine Connor Foundation.”

The sale continues tomorrow.