Bidding has reached £15,100 for an "Official Manchester United Munich Memorial Scarf and Match Programme" and could go much higher before the sale ends at 6.08pm tonight.

Manchester-based seller Simonfield501 has attracted the highest bids out of more than 30 sellers cashing in on Munich memorial items.

Identical items have attracted more reasonable bids.

A Manchester United fan, who declined to be named, said the scarf was handed out at the Manchester United v Manchester City derby yesterday.

He said: "There were scarves put on all the seats. That means there were 73,000 Man U scarves and 3,000 Man City scarves, so if you wanted to sell one you'd be better off selling the Man City ones. You had to pay for the programme."

The £15,100 item - which will cost the buyer £2 in postage - is described as being in "pristine condition" and has attracted 27 bids.

The description states: "Scarf comes with a Munich memento letter from David Gill and has a copy of the programme from MUFC v Sheff Wed played just after the accident."

The Munich air crash on February 6 1958 claimed the lives of 23 people, including eight Manchester United players.

Munich plane crash survivor and former Manchester United player Albert Scanlon said: "You don't go to these things to make money."

No-one from Manchester United FC could be reached for comment.