PERHAPS the world's finest private collection of Errol Flynn memorabilia is to go under the hammer in Swindon next week.

Featuring more than 150 items, including 18 signed photographs of the film star, the collection is expected to raise £20,000.

Flynn, from Tasmania, was born in 1909. His most famous film was The Adventures of Robin Hood.

By the time he died in 1959, his exploits on and off screen had gained him an everlasting reputation as the prototype hellraising film star.

The memorabilia collection, which also includes posters, cinema lobby cards and other material, was amassed by Leamington Spa collector Rick Dodd.

The sale is being handled by Dominic Winter Book Auctions.

The firm's document specialist Richard Westwood-Brookes said: "We were just amazed when we came to see this collection, which is truly vast.

"Mr Dodd has put together unquestionably one of the finest collections in private hands, and we are expecting considerable interest from around the world.

"Interest in collecting modern popular culture such as movie memorabilia has grown considerably over the last few years.

"This is mainly because of an internet generation who are fascinated by the bright, bold and often brash artwork which is often the feature of posters for the type of films which Flynn made.

"There is also considerable nostalgia for the thirties, forties and fifties, when stars like Flynn seemed to be so much larger than life.

"The dashing heroes he played represented a world where good always triumphed over evil and the hero always got the girl at the end."

The auction will be held next Wednesday at Dominic Winter Book Auctions' saleroom in Maxwell Street, Swindon.