Rui Vieira/PA Wire

Just days after many of them were awarded, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medals have found their way onto eBay to the dismay and criticism of many.

The medals, which were awarded to members of the emergency services and armed forces, are being sold on the online auction site for hundreds of pounds.

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Thousands of the medals were issued to honour the dedication and service of emergency services personnel, the Royal Household, prison officers and those serving in the armed forces - but hundreds have already made it onto eBay.

How much are they worth?

Several medals are receiving bids of well over £100, and one police issue medal is being advertised for £500. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) spent £8 million on the 400,000 medals.

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One advert read; "Grab a piece of history" and boasted, "also for sale my Golden Jubilee medal". Another said, "this is an original as I am a serving police officer", and one bluntly explained; "this is my own personal issue medal. I am not a fan of royalty and skint, hence its sale."

One auctioneer however was promising to donate the proceeds from the sale of his father's medal to a local charity and Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Disappointment

A spokesman for the DCMS said "the Diamond Jubilee medals are issued on behalf of Her Majesty as a mark of thanks to those in key front line services. It is recognition of the special contributions people are making and have made over the years.

"We are saddened and disappointed to think that some of those so honoured have decided to take this action."

The Department added however that it was not illegal for recipients to sell their medals, and said it would only intervene if it found any evidence that medals were being intercepted and sold onto third parties before they had been awarded.

Former Chief Superintendent Geoff Ogden who previously led Humberside CID told The Hull Daily Mail: "It does beggar belief. It is disgraceful behaviour and I cannot believe someone would do something like that. It is a disgrace to the uniform."

"It is a great honour and privilege to be serving at the time of any Royal Jubilee – with the Diamond Jubilee being really special. I'm appalled by it and I think 99.9 per cent of officers will be appalled by it. If I was still serving I would use disciplinary procedures to deal with this matter."

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