THOUSANDS of postcards owned by an undisclosed Wellington vendor are expected to sell for thousands of pounds at auction next month.

The collection, being sold by Charterhouse in Sherborne on Friday, December 15, includes a selection of postcards from the early 20th Century depicting rural, town and city life in the West Country, Home Counties and further afield, along with football and other sporting team images.

Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and Dorset are particularly well represented – many of the villages have not changed much while others have changed above all recognition.

Charterhouse director Richard Bromell said: “The owner has had a lifelong interest in collecting postcards.

“Sadly he has been suffering ill health for some time now, which is why he decided to sell the collection.

“I must confess to being quite exhausted having moved the entire collection from a first floor flat down the stairs and into my car, which was full by the end of the day.”

The auction at The Long Street Salerooms includes coins, medals, stamps, postcards and other collector’s items.