Remarkable images of a wartime batallion which patrolled the Suffolk coast on their bicycles have sold for thousands at auction.

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)

The photos, found in the loft of a London house by its new owners, bring to life the work of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion who monitored the county's shores during the First World War.

They were subsequently assembled into an album by Sgt J F Gerrard, one of those who scoured beaches including Lowestoft and Walberswick for German invaders between 1914 and 1915.

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)

On Saturday, May 18, the collection went under hammer at Lockdales auction house in Ipswich having been dubbed "possibly the best original personal photo album we have sold".

Despite being assigned a relatively conservative estimate of £500 to £600, the collection was sold alongside a number of Sgt Gerrard's medals to an internet bidder for a staggering £4200.

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)

"This is an incredible price," said Chris Elmy from Lockdales. "The value is in the photograph album and the social history it contains, but even we are surprised by this result."

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Photos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: LockdalesPhotos of the 25th London Cyclists Battalion which roamed Suffolk’s coast during the First World War are set to go up for auction. Picture: Lockdales (Image: Archant)