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It is obvious during any trip on our roads that the popularity of personalised number plates has risen vastly. Once seen as simply a status symbol to the stars, a private number plate is now THE must have car accessory. People of all ages and backgrounds are discovering the joys and benefits of owning their own personal number plate and the number of owners continues to grow.

People buy car registration numbers for a whole variety of reasons. For some they represent the ultimate personal gift for a family member or loved one, while others chose to indulge themselves and make their vehicle stand out in the crowd. Businesses purchase private number plates as a unique way of advertising their companies and collectors buy registrations as a hobby or investment. Number plate enthusiasts often own more than one registration and many own huge collections of private plates. The scarcity and age of some registrations has led them to become collectors* items and are quickly snapped up when they are for sale.

There is an increasing trend to invest in number plates with investors seeing exceptional returns. Many people are now purchasing private plates to diversify their financial portfolio and have seen an outstanding return on their stock holding over the last couple of years. For example, the private registration 1 RO was sold at a DVLA Auction in September 2005 for *6000. This registration number is now on the market for *125,000 * which is a staggering 2000% return on the original investment!

Many enthusiasts attend the DVLA auctions with the hope of picking up a classic number plate to add to their collections. These auctions are held throughout the year at stately homes and hotels and give number plate collectors and enthusiasts a chance to meet up and bid on previously unreleased registrations. Dateless registrations, name plates and humorous number plates all feature in the catalogue at these auctions which can also be found at ( http://www.capeplates.co.uk ) who are registered suppliers, which are a great place to network and socialise with like minded people.

Increasingly personalised number plates collectors and fans are choosing to become members of the Registration Numbers Club. The organisation is the only UK based club for collectors and enthusiasts of number plates and car registrations. It was founded in 1977 and has grown considerably since. The RNC produces a quarterly publication called *RNC News* which provides details of events and interesting stories from its members. The club is run by volunteers, with Steve Waldenberg acting as Honorary Organising Secretary from the head office in Leeds. For more information contact them at RNC Office, PO BOX MT12, Leeds, LS17 7UD.

This year, the Registration Numbers Clubs held their annual rally in June at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire. The event saw members turning up en mass with vehicles displaying their own private number plates and cherished registrations. People of all ages attend these events for a chance to meet other number plate enthusiasts and socialise. Competitions are held for members number plates, including Best Prefix Number Plate, Best Name Plate and the Best *Number 1* registration.

Number plates are unique and can mean so many different things to so many different people. They provide an increasing number of individuals with a hobby as they strive to increase their collection and find ever more scarce registrations. To others they are a great present from a family member that will last their lifetime. To some they are simply an investment, adding a prestigious touch to their vehicle, as they grow in value over time. Many people sell their number plates to put towards their retirement funds. Whatever the reason, there is a number plate out there that is perfect for you. Now is the time to find your personal number*before someone else does!