Can you ask the DVLA to sell a particular plate?

[LuS1fer]

Anybody know if you can ask for a plate from a car you know was scrapped years and years ago - and not even a good plate, say the plate of your first car like ATG 482B for example.

I've often thought it would be nice to resurrect some plates form my old cars or my father's cars which have more sentimental rather than monetary value.