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Haul ... Paul Aitken has quite a credit crunch collection
Pawnbroker Paul Aitken, 37, revealed he has been offered the amazing haul of goodies by hard-up bankers, premiership footie stars and desperate property developers.
He has currently collected six Rolex watches, two Ferraris, a Porsche — and the aeroplane — after they were traded in for cash.
Both Ferraris — F430 F1 paddle-shift models worth a total of £270,000 — were pawned by bankers who lost their jobs.
The £75,000 175mph Porsche 911 Carrera 4S was traded in by a property developer whose assets crashed, leaving him desperate for capital.
While Mr Aitken acquired the aeroplane, a French-built two-seater Cap 10 aerobatic stunt plane worth £100,000, four months ago when its owner fell on hard times.
The Rolex watches are among more than 1,000 designer timepieces, worth a total of £1million, which have been used as deposit for pawn loans.
Among them are a Breitling Crosswind diamond set worth £3,000, a £33,000 Lange & Sohne Flyback Datograph gents wristwatch in 18ct rose gold, and a £20,000 Patek Philippe 18ct gold gents wristwatch.
Mr Aitken, managing director of online pawnbrokers www.borro.com, said: "We've seen the biggest economic crisis hit this country for years, and everyone is feeling the disastrous effects.
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"When someone rang us asking to pawn his Ferrari we thought he was joking.
"This really shows how hard the recession has hit people - even those who are well-off have had to adjust their standard of living.
"Last week a newly married man gave us his Rolex watch his wife bought him as a wedding present.
"But he isn't alone, as many wealthy businessmen are having to take extreme measures once they've realised they aren't able to maintain their lavish lifestyles.
"And that might mean giving up the keys of their Ferrari, Porsche or plane for some much-needed cash."
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