A BUSINESS in Quedgeley is the proud owner of an original golden ticket from the 1971 film adaptation of Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

E-learning company Avantis Systems, which supplies schools with tablets, bid for one of the five golden tickets auctioned off in New York from Bonhams Auction House last year.

Bonhams is one of the world’s oldest and largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques.

Commenting on the purchase, Nik Tuson, who is the managing director of Avantis, said: “We are extremely excited to have our hands on the original golden ticket from such a classic film and story.

“Avantis was founded in Cardiff, which is where Roald Dahl grew up, so it feels even more special to us.

“At Avantis, we are dedicated to engaging children in reading, and over the past four years have seen some great results from schools using our interactive tablets to do so.”

Avantis is running competitions throughout this year enabling schools to win a visit from its staff to see the 45-year-old ticket and receive some free tablet devices.

“What better way to get students reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” added Nik.

To date, Miserden Church of England Primary School is the first and only school in the country to have seen and held the golden ticket.

Students could not believe their eyes when they saw the famous ticket on January 29. Avantis staff took the ticket to the school to show pupils as special treat because of their creative curriculum topic Le Chocolat.

“I do not know who was more excited, the children or the staff,” said Jacqui Sollars, head teacher.

“The children were delighted to be able to have their photos taken with the ticket.

"It is days such as these that build long-lasting memories.”