WHEN the average household has a clear-out of old clothes, they might end up at a charity shop or even at a local jumble sale.

But Castle Howard is not your average house and when it has a clear-out, the items are sent that little bit further - along to Sotheby's.

However, the clothes it is selling are rather special and make up the largest collection of period costumes in the country.

The outfits make even the most modern designer creation look drab and dowdy, and the prices they are expected to fetch are equally spectacular.

More than 10,000 items, spanning more than 250 years of fashion, are going under the hammer at a series of sales in London.

They are expected to fetch £250,000 and saleroom estimates can be conservative.

Some of the collection was once housed in the John Carr-designed stables of the stately home, near Malton, North Yorkshire, where public costume galleries were established in 1965.

But only a small proportion of the collection could be shown at one time and, in 1993, the galleries were closed because of high maintenance costs and the collection was consigned to storage.

Owner Simon Howard said yesterday: "The dispersal of the collection is regrettable.

"However, the collection has been in storage for a long time now and we do not have the expertise to take care of the items properly."

Funds raised will be used to help restore parts of the 18th Century building that were damaged in a fire in 1940.

Mr Howard said: "With the sale I hope that other people will be able to enjoy the costume items rather than they be hidden away from view."

Costumes dating from 1730 to 1900 will be on sale. Sotheby's specialist Kerry Taylor said: "The collection is not only large, but incredibly varied and will appeal to museums and private buyers alike."

A flamboyant velvet suit, reputedly worn by the diplomat who brokered peace with the US colonies, Lord Alleyne Fitzherbert, has alone been estimated at between £10,000 to £15,000.

Also of interest is a black silk gown from 1898, with a widow's peak bodice worn by Queen Victoria, which is estimated at £3,000 to £5,000.