EXPLOSIVE three dimensional photographs taken on the battlefields of the Western Front during the First World War have gone under the hammer in South Cerney.

The rare photos, which are among the very few pictures that were taken on the front line, sold for £230 at Dominic Winter Book Auctions on Thursday, April 12.

In order to see the images in 3D, viewers require a stereoscope, a device that forces a person’s eyes to cross and make the two pictures join giving a three dimensional effect.

Speaking to the Standard, chief auctioneer Chris Albury described the images as “spectacular”.

He said: “The images are in a very, very good condition. Through the stereo viewer, they look as fresh as they did on the day they were taken.”

The images, which are part of an historic collection of 100 3D pictures, were thought to have been captured during the Battle of the Somme and at Ypres.

Having been put forward for auction by a family in Shropshire, the pictures were snapped up by an anonymous bidder from Northamptonshire.

More items from the First World War will be sold at the South Cerney auction rooms on Friday, May 16 as part of its bi-annual military auction.

Pick up a copy of next Thursday's Standard for more exciting photos.