A set of gold-plated dentures used by former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill to disguise his childhood lisp is being auctioned in Britain.

The wartime leader, who had terrible problems with his teeth and gums that required complicated dentistry from his childhood, needed the dentures to hide his speech impediment and enable him to speak clearly over the radio.

Part of one of the specially crafted sets of teeth is to go under the hammer Thursday after the son of the dental technician who designed them decided to sell it, The Telegraph reported.

Churchill always ensured he had a spare set of dentures to hand in case he needed them in an emergency.

The teeth will go on sale at Keys' Salerooms in Aylsham, Norfolk, with an estimated price of 4,500 to 5,000 pounds. A twin set is kept by the Royal College of Surgeons of England.

Andrew Bullock, valuer at Keys', said: 'It is so quirky - one of those things which is so unusual that it could make a huge amount of money.

'The teeth are set in dentist's gold - but I think it is safe to say they won't be sold for their scrap value.'