SNAPS of Cuban revolution leaders gave bidders a shot in the arm.

The iconic images of President Fidel Castro and fellow communist leader Che Guevara, caused a buzz at Dominic Winter auctions, at South Cerney, near Cirencester.

A collection of 14 rare and intimate black and white photos, taken during the uprising's early years, sold for £31,730 - nearly £26,000 than was estimated.

Dating from 1959 to the early 1960s, 12 were taken by Mr Castro's official photographer Alberto Korda.

The prize lot, showing a relaxed Guevara game fishing, netted £6,600.

It was bought by a UK-based

private collector who spent almost £18,000 in total, including £3,400 on a picture of Mr Castro playing golf.

A photograph of three tanks passing a huge poster of Mr Guevara sold for 20 times more than its predicted price.

The auction house said it was 'inundated' with phone line requests from collectors all over Europe during the auction on Thursday.

The 1959 Cuban Revolution transformed the Caribbean island into a communist state.