A holiday photograph taken by one of the country’s greatest literary figures has sold for £5,250 at auction.

Lewis Carroll, best known for Alice In Wonderland, took the picture on Eastbourne beach in 1882.

Although experts are unsure of the subject, it is thought to be family friend Eleanor Winifred Howes.

It went under the hammer at Bonhams in London yesterday where it was bought by a private collector.

Carroll, real name Charles Dodgson, made Eastbourne his second home, with regular visits.

Such was the frequency the town erected a blue plaque at 7 Lushington Road, where he often stayed.

The author, originally from Surrey, was believed to have favoured Eastbourne for the light and sea breeze. In particular he liked the location to practice his photography.

The photograph shows the seven or eight-year-old Miss Howes in a Victorian bathing costume, holding a traditional bucket and spade, with the sea water washing around her feet.

On the back of the photograph is a signed endorsement from Mr Caroll and the message: “For Miss Symonds, from CL Dodgson, a memento of the beach at Eastbourne in the summer of 1883.”