Dinosaur footprints, a Roman sarcophagus and antique statues are among the items from local stonemasons Lloyds of Bedwyn being offered for sale next month.

The current owner John Lloyd is selling off some of the items from its yard as he reorganises the company, which has operated in Great Bedwyn for over 200 years.

Mr Lloyd said: “We will still be taking on commercial projects but nothing domestic or monumental. We will continue to operate from the Great Bedwyn office but ceasing manufacture here. For some time now housing has been moving in on us and it is increasingly difficult to get large lorries carrying stone into the yard.”

While Mr Lloyd remains a consultant, he is farming out the actual manufacture to sites as far afield as Yorkshire and Italy and no longer needs the large yard, which houses items from the company’s own museum of masonry.

Lloyds of Bedwyn have been established in the village since 1790 when Mr Lloyd’s ancestors came to work on the building of the Kennet and Avon Canal. The company has been responsible for many prestigious projects, including building the Bruce Tunnel on the Kennet and Avon Canal and the Queen’s Gallery at Buckingham Palace.

Among the items being offered for sale at the auction at Kidson-Trigg’s saleroom near Highworth on September 19 are dinosaur footprints and a very distinctive memorial to an airman of the First World War.

Mr Lloyd said: “It had been on an estate in Kent for many years but when the estate was sold it was offered to the local church. But the vicar threw his hands up in horror and it was destined for the skip. So we took it. It’s a Sopwith Camel with an 11ft wingspan, very impressive.”

Other items include a Roman sarcophagus, or coffin, a pair of marble busts by the Victorian sculptor A Johnson and a 19th century lead statue of Mercury, the Roman winged messenger of the gods.

All enquiries and requests for a catalogue should made to Kidson-Trigg on (01793) 861000 or to kidsontriggauctions@btconnect.com