Hundreds of aviation enthusiasts crammed into a marquee to make bids for a museum's entire collection of wartime memorabilia.

About 700 buyers from all over the UK, and some from Europe, snapped-up the contents of the D-Day Museum of Aviation at Shoreham Airport.

It was a sad day for the museum's co-owners Ken Rimell and Barry Field, who have spent years developing the collection. But there was also a sense of relief for the pair.

A running feud with the museum's landlords and a 40 per cent rent hike, had made it increasingly difficult for them to keep the business going.

Last month they decided to close the museum, which they had set up together nine years ago and auction its contents to cover legal and business bills.

On Saturday, all the lots were sold in a matter of hours.

The most expensive single item was a full-sized model of a Spitfire, which was bought for almost £12,000 by an aircraft restoration firm.

Other lots, such as a marine specification radio, went for as little as £10. Original and replica aircraft sections, aircraft engines and parts, propellers, radios, instruments, uniforms, militaria, models and pictures also went under the hammer.

A large part of the collection was sold to the Battle of Normandy Museum in Bayeux, France, which has developed close links with the Shoreham museum.

Mr Rimell said: "It was a very sad day for both of us. There was a lifetime's collection there that we had to get rid of and that hurt a lot.

"But the really good news is that everything went to good homes where the stuff will be properly looked after and that's great.

"All day we had collectors and enthusiasts coming up to us and saying, "Don't worry, we are going to look after this stuff".

He added: "To be honest, it is a great relief not to have to deal with the airport and the local authorities any more and I will not miss the hassle.

"But I will miss all the lovely people who we have met through the museum over the last nine years."

Edward Ash, salesroom manager at Rupert Toovey and Co Auctioneers and Valuers, said the day had been a huge success. He said: "At one point we estimated there were about 700 people inside the marquee and they had come from all over the place, including France.

"Everything was sold for either the hammer price or above, which shows how much interest there was. It was a very successful day for Barry and Ken."