AS number plates go, they don't get much sexier than 'F1'. The ultimate "look-at-me" registration plate is to be auctioned by Bonhams at next month's Goodwood Festival of Speed Sale of Collectors' Motor Cars, Automobilia and F1 Memorabilia.

The sale is on Friday, June 24 near Chichester.

Owned by Essex County Council, the F1 number plate. It was the first number plate issued in the county and historically it has been used on the council chairman's car.

It was originally registered on a Panhard-Lavasser on January 1, 1904.

Over the years it has appeared on cars as diverse as a Darracq Torpedo, a Humber, a Daimler and a Jaguar Sovereign. It most recently appeared on a Volvo S80.

Bonhams specialists expect the registration to attract huge interest among enthusiasts of Formula One racing and collectors of motor cars and automobilia.

Jon Baddeley, Bonhams' director of collectors' sales, says: "As a result of its worldwide appeal, we expect the F1 number plate to fetch a six-figure sum."

A further number plate - also owned by Essex County Council - will be sold the same day and if the F1 registration number seems a little out of reach, potential buyers will be able to bid on the next best thing - the number 1F.

The master of Grand Prix commentaries Murray Walker, who lives in the New Forest, would often qualify his race predictions with the comment: "Remember that F1 is IF backwards!"

Lord Hanningfield, leader of Essex County Council, says: "The Goodwood Festival of Speed is the perfect place to sell F1.

"The number plate is obviously an interesting part of Essex's history but I am committed to investing in our future and we plan to create a charitable fund from the sale of F1 that will support the county council's work with the children of Essex."