A single sock once used by Michael Jackson has raised an eye-catching £6,600 at an auction in France, Aurore Illy.

Michael Jackson sock

The crystal-encrusted sock was worn by the King of Pop at a concert in Nimes, a city in the south of France, in 1997.

It was found by a technician after the American’s performance and has been preserved for 28 years in a frame.

Initially, the sock was only expected to fetch between £2,500 to £3,000 at the Nimes auction house, but it soared to £6,640 on Wednesday.

It was originally white with glittering rhinestones, but they have yellowed as they have aged.

Jackson wore white athletic socks during his 1997 HIStory World Tour, which saw him perform 82 concerts in 57 cities across 35 countries … and can be seen wearing the sock in clips of him performing his hit ‘Billie Jean’. 

Aurore Illy, the auctioneer, said: ‘It really is an exceptional object – even a cult one for Michael Jackson fans.’

Jackson faced allegations of child molestation before he died of an overdose aged 50 in 2009 as he prepared for a series of comeback concerts in London.