A gold-mounted set of false teeth made for the prime minister sell at auction in Cheltenham for £18,000.

Gold-mounted false teeth worn by Sir Winston Churchill have been sold at auction in Cheltenham for £18,000.

The upper dentures were worn by the wartime leader during many of his most famous speeches, including the “We shall fight on the beaches” address.

They were specifically made to preserve his natural lisp and so important he carried two sets with him at all times.

The Cotswold Auction Company said the teeth were “snapped up” for more than double the £8,000 guide price.