THE contents of one of the region's best known houses, Victorian marbles and even a pardon from Elizabeth I will be going under the hammer later this week.

Almost 1,300 lots of antiques and pictures will be sold at the latest catalogue sale to be held by Tennants of Leyburn, in North Yorkshire, on Thursday and Friday.

The sale includes the extensive residual contents of Staindrop Hall, in County Durham, home of the Luxmore family since 1957.

Edmund Luxmore died five years ago and his widow, Diana, has now decided the house is too big for her and has moved to Scotland to be near her daughter.

The family were connected to the talented Tyneside artist Ralph Hedley and a number of his paintings and carvings are included in the sale.

Also among the many lots are a collection of marbles dating from the Victorian area, being sold by a vendor from Morpeth.

Well out of the reach of the average schoolboy's pocket, they are expected to fetch anything up to £1,000.

Other unusual items include a Royal Pardon from Elizabeth I, complete with Royal seal, which is expected to go for between £700 and £1,000.

Also for sale is a wide range of furniture, ceramics, and jewellery, and viewing for the sale finishes on Wednesday.