A milk bottle the Queen Mother gave to a carpet fitter as a souvenir more than 30 years ago went under the hammer.

Brian Burrows was offered the bottle as a memento while enjoying a tea break at Buckingham Palace. 

The late Queen Mother ordered "tea to be made for Mr Burrows" while he fitted new carpets to the palace ahead of public viewings.

When he had finished his work, he was given the empty bottle of pasteurised milk, which features a crown and royal cypher 'ER'.

Brian kept the bottle at his home in Fulham in west London and even took it with him to Spain when he retired.

Following his death the bottle was passed to his daughter Jackie Kensit, of Hillingdon, London.

She said: "In 1993 a good friend asked him to help at Buckingham Palace and then, 

twice a year until my dad retired in 2005, he went to the palace to exchange carpets for viewing areas.

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Brian's bottle was passed to his daughter from Hillingdon after his death (credit: SWNS).

"My mum, Jean, was a true royalist but only my dad was privileged to meet Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and his favourite royal, Princess Michael of Kent.

"My dad retired early due to Parkinson's disease and my parents went to live in Spain. 

"The milk bottle went with them. It took pride of place in my late mother's kitchen. 

"It was always on show. Mum was proud to tell the story to whoever asked about it."

Brian died in 2010 aged 68 and now his family have decided to sell the bottle so others can enjoy it.

It is expected to sell for between £70 and £100 but sold at £30 at Hansons Richmond auctioneers.

Auctioneer Chris Kirkham said: "Brian was employed by the Queen to change carpets annually ahead of public viewings at Buckingham Palace. 

"During one such fitting, the Queen Mother kindly ordered for 'tea to be made for Mr Burrows'.  

"The Royal Dairy delivered milk to Buckingham Palace in specially monogrammed bottles and Brian was allowed to keep one.

"The unusual piece of royal memorabilia has been cared for by the Burrows family for more than 40 years but now they feel it's time to find it a new home. 

"It reminds us that whether you're rich, poor or royalty, most people ensure hard-working tradesmen get a well-deserved cuppa.

"The milk bottle has been tucked away and the family would like it go to someone who will enjoy owning it as much as their parents did."