A POSTER claiming Britain freed the people of Iraq has sold at Dominic Winter Book Auctions in Swindon for £1,400.

The original poster, dated March 1918, was issued following the British invasion of the country in that year.

It reads in part: "Our armies do not come into your cities and lands as conquerors or enemies, but as liberators. Remember that for 26 generations you have suffered under strange tyrants."

The occupying army remained in the country for another 15 years.

Auction house spokesman Nathan Winter said: "We hoped it would go for more than the estimated price of £100 because it is so rare and interesting. But this impressive result was most surprising."

The poster was bought by a private buyer on the premises, and Mr Winter said the atmosphere at the auction was particularly lively.

An original photograph, taken in 1946, showing Sir Winston Churchill and French premier Charles de Gaulle in France also went under the hammer.

Selling for £3,700, its price surpassed the £2,000-£3,000 estimate. It was bought by London book dealers Maggs. Mr Winter said: "We thought it would fetch between £2,000 and £3,000 so this was another success. Although the current threat of war may have raised the price of the Iraq proclamation, Churchill items are always in high demand."