An antiques dealer has paid more than £2,000 for one of John Prescott's old Jaguars - so he can burn it.

Roger Kirby bought the Deputy Prime Minister's infamous Arctic blue Sovereign at a charity auction in Sussex.

Rather than chug around in the luxury motor like its previous owner, he intends to torch the vehicle on November 5 as a protest against the Government.

The 55-year-old paid £2,400 for the car during the sale at Gorringes Auctioneers in Lewes in aid of the Rockinghorse Appeal.

It had been donated for the auction by Arun Ltd Independent Jaguar Dealers, in Pulborough, where Mr Prescott part-exchanged it for a zippier XJS model a few months ago.

Mr Kirby admits his decision to buy the car was political rather than charitable.

He said: "I bought it to burn it. I want to show the contempt I hold for this Government and the mess they have made of this country.

"I have written to the Government lots of times to show my anger but no one ever takes any notice.

"It was a political decision to buy the car, I admit that, but I am very pleased and I believe the money is going to a really good cause."

Mr Kirby, from Kent, feels he has been let down by New Labour in almost every part of life, although he is particularly annoyed with the Government's handling of education and immigration.

He said: "The education system in this country is a state. We also run a couple of hotels in Dover and the asylum-seeker situation there is a disgrace. I feel very sorry for the many people who have good reasons to come here but I have seen most of them at the port and about 75 per cent are economic refugees.

"November 5 was when Guy Fawkes tried to burn down Parliament so I think it's a very appropriate date for this protest."

Both the Rockinghorse Appeal and management at Arun were bemused by Mr Kirby's decision.

Adam MacRae, marketing co-ordinator for the charity, which raises money to support the Royal Alexandra Children's Hospital in Brighton, said: "We are glad to have a got a really good price for the car and the buyer can do what he wishes with it.

"We're always looking for money and need to raise about £500,000 each year. We are very grateful to Arun Ltd."

Dominic de Grouchy, managing director of the car dealership, said: "The appeal is close to people's hearts and we thought it would be a good idea to raise money for a good cause instead of just selling the car normally. What happens after a sale is nothing to do with us and we're just thrilled with the money."

A spokesman for Mr Prescott's department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, said: "It's not a matter we would get involved with. It's not anything to do with us any more."