In a bidding frenzy at music specialists Omega Auctions, the first known recording of David Bowie has fetched £39,360 when it went under the hammer on Tuesday - four times the expected price of £10,000.

Discovered earlier this year in an old bread-bin, stored away in the loft of David Hadfield (drummer and manager of The Konrads), the tape features a 16-year old Bowie who, convinced by the other members of the group, performed the lead vocals.

Hadfield recalled: “We had decided that we would do a couple of guitar instrumentals and one original song. I chose I Never Dreamed as it was the strongest, the other two were a bit weak. I also decided that David was the best person to sing it and give the right interpretation. So this became the very first recording of David Jones singing 55 years ago."

Ironically, Decca Records failed to recognise the potential of one of the most influential and famous voices of the 20th century. The Konrads failed to win an audition with Decca and, after being given a trial later that year they were turned down. Bowie left soon after citing artistic differences (probably for the best we reckon).

Other items at the auction included a fully signed Led Zepplin album, which sold for £14,000, and handwritten Jimi Hendrix lyrics from 1970, which fetched £10,800.