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A rare enigma machine that was buried in a 3ft deep hole by German soldiers has emerged for sale for over £16,000.

The three-rotor Engima I machine was hidden from the Allies by a German officer shortly before his men surrendered at the end of the war.

It remained buried for several decades before being uncovered by a treasure hunter just outside the village of Sulstorf, 120 miles north west of Berlin.

The unique relic stopped working a long time ago and is now caked in rust.