A 40-YEAR-OLD bun thrown to celebrate the wedding of Prince Charles and Princess Diana in 1981 is set to be auctioned – possibly for as little as £10.

It has been preserved thanks to a coat of varnish and bears the label ‘Abingdon Bun Throwing 29th July, 1981 Wedding of Prince Wales’.

The bun is due to be sold at auction by Hanson Holloway’s Ross in Banbury tomorrow, and comes with an estimate of between £10 and £20.

Herald Series: The bun, preserved with a coat of varnish, bears the label ‘Abingdon Bun Throwing 29th July, 1981 Wedding of Prince Wales’. Picture: HansonsThe bun, preserved with a coat of varnish, bears the label ‘Abingdon Bun Throwing 29th July, 1981 Wedding of Prince Wales’. Picture: Hansons

Jasper Marsh, valuer and auctioneer at the saleroom, said: “It’s certainly a bit of an auction oddity but there could be a bun fight to buy it.

“It’s come to us from a house clearance so we’re not sure who originally owned it.

“However, it’s likely it belonged to someone connected to Abingdon’s famous bun throwing event, a 400-year-old tradition forged in the Oxfordshire town.

“The event is a cross between a ceremony and a bun fight so this cake did well to survive at all.

Herald Series: Jasper Marsh, auctioneer and valuer at Hanson Holloway’s Ross in Banbury, in bun-throwing mode with the cake up for auction. Picture: HansonsJasper Marsh, auctioneer and valuer at Hanson Holloway’s Ross in Banbury, in bun-throwing mode with the cake up for auction. Picture: Hansons

“Bun throwing events only take place when the town council votes to hold one.

“It has to be a very special occasion and is usually connected to royal milestones.

“Records show there was a bun throwing ceremony on July 29, 1981 to mark the royal wedding, so we know our bun is genuine.

“It’s a quirky buy and a talking point that just might win bids from people keen to own a slice of our eccentric great British heritage.”