A prized bravery medal awarded to a pigeon which flew vital intelligence out of occupied France during the Second World War has been sold at auction for £9,200.

The rare PDSA Dickin Medal was awarded to red chequer cock Commando for his heroics helping British secret agents reveal Nazi military tactics.

It is said to be the equivalent of the Victoria Cross for animals and is one of only 60 awarded. The medal, which had been expected to fetch £10,000, was sold yesterday at Spink auction rooms, London, to an anonymous collector.

A spokeswoman for the auction house said: "It was a good sale and a crowded room so we're very happy."

Commando was bred by Haywards Heath pigeon fancier Sid Moon.

Mr Moon had served with the Army Pigeon Service during the First World War and immediately made his birds available again following the outbreak of war in 1939.

The medal is believed to have been sold by a family member.

Commando, or pigeon NURP.38.EGU142 of the National Pigeon Service, distinguished himself during three missions in June, August and September 1942.

He was parachuted into France and flew intelligence back to Britain strapped to his leg in a tiny metal canister.

The information included the locations of German troops, industrial sites and injured British soldiers.

Commando was among 200,000 messenger pigeons volunteered for service.

The pigeon had a one in eight chance of survival, facing German marksmen, exhaustion and enemy-trained hawks.

Commando received his honour in 1945 for his "conspicuous bravery and devotion" before he was put out to stud.

His name appears on a roll of honour alongside Royal Blue, the King's pigeon from the Royal loft at Sandringham, Norfolk.

Maria Dickin, who founded the People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, introduced the Dickin Medal in 1943.

The last one to be auctioned, which had been awarded to a cat who saw action in China in 1949 on HMS Amethyst, sold for £23,000.