Lib Dems sell off Danny Alexander's mock yellow Budget box in bid to raise funds

The auction, which delayed Nick Clegg's speech this afternoon, raised £1,500 after Lord Wrigglesworth suggested it be used as a sandwich box

Party Treasury Lord Wrigglesworth suggested it could be used as a sandwich box, which pushed bidding to £1,500. The auction delayed Nick Clegg's leader's speech this afternoon. (Getty Images)

Cash-strapped Liberal Democrats have swelled their coffers to the tune of £1,500 by auctioning off Danny Alexander's mock yellow Budget box.

The chief secretary to the Treasury produced the box as a gimmick in a speech to the party's spring conference yesterday.

Today, party Treasury Lord Wrigglesworth offered this "beautiful, historic briefcase" to delegates, starting at £100, pointing out its "lovely hue".

He suggested it could be used as a sandwich box, which pushed bidding to £1,500. The auction delayed Nick Clegg's leader's speech this afternoon.