A Stowmarket auctioneer has announced it will be putting a very valuable piece of Beatles memorabilia up for sale next month.

Bishop & Miller, one of the region’s leading independent auction and valuation firms, will welcome bids for a band card autographed by the legendary foursome, worth an estimated £1,000-£1,500.

The sale will be the key highlight of Bishop & Miller’s first Toy and Memorabilia auction on March 10, which will also feature a number of other collectable items up for grabs.

The 55-year-old band card belongs to Mike Nicholson, a retired carpenter/joiner from King’s Lynn, who bagged the autographs at a Great Yarmouth gig way back in 1963.

Mr Nicholson, then a musician himself, luckily knew the stage manager at the concert who was able to meet the band backstage.

He said: “In the 1960s I was bass-guitarist in a local band called The Pagans and through our music circles we knew the stage manager, Dave, at the theatre in Great Yarmouth. He got hold of tickets for The Beatles gig and whilst we were at the venue on the night of the concert he said he could get us autographs from the band.

“The only thing we had to hand were our own band cards, which are like business cards (we gave these out at our own gigs and at venues). He came back to us later on with four signatures from The Beatles and I’ve kept hold of mine ever since.”

Mr Nicholson added: “I couldn’t hear much of the Great Yarmouth gig through all the screams of the fans, something that became synonymous with The Beatles concerts!”

Oliver Miller, managing director, said: “We’re looking forward to our first Toy and Music Sale as we have a great selection of items for many collectors out there and The Beatles autographs are something really caught my eye. I came across the autographs at our valuation day in Burnham Market last year and I was fascinated with the story, which I know will interest many people.

“We have an array of collectable items available in our next auction, including a signed Nirvana record and other highly sought-after memorabilia. We’re hoping to appeal to a new audience with this specialist sale.”

The auction will also feature toys including three 12-back Star Wars figures, as well as railway and film posters.