Stoke fans and their number plates

Tom Talbot from Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire is a fan of number plates - in fact he has 40 of them. His latest purchase is 57 OKE, in recognition of the local football team. The plate was sold at auction in January and had a reserve of £1900. Mr Talbot paid £7000 in total and said, "I'm very pleased to be the new owner, especially at the price I got it at. It was well within my budget.”

Tom's company, Talbot Alsger, a waste disposal firm in nearby Tunstall village also benefits from his hobby. He has put his pastime to great effect by supplying some suitable numbers for the firm's vehicles. The fleet is instantly recognisable as they proudly adorned numbers like AL54 GER and TUN 574L.

After Tom purchased his first Stoke number, he was contacted by Catherine Handley, 37 after Catherine had seen reports in the local newspapers. Ms Handley had the registration GO57 OKE and thought it would be a great addition to Mr Talbot's collection. He agreed and bought it from her earlier this month.