Rare Yak Face among Star Wars figures up for sale

The figures were discovered in a loft with their original price labels

A collection of rare Star Wars figures discovered mint in box with their original price labels are expected to sell for thousands at auction.

Hansons Auctioneers said the 21 toys were found in an attic in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, where they had "languished for 40 years".

They are being sold at auction by the original owner's wife - and could fetch £6,000.

David Wilson-Turner, Hansons' toy expert, said the owner "didn't collect as such, just toys from his childhood that didn't get played with much".

The tri-logo Yak Face action figure was "a 'holy grail" for collectors, said Hansons Auctioneers

The toys were made by Palitoy in Coalville, Leicestershire, in the early 1980s.

The rarest item for sale is Yak Face, from the 1983 film Return of the Jedi, which is expected to go for about £1,000.

It also featured briefly in Return of the Jedi as a member of Jabba the Hutt's entourage.

The camel-faced creature was never officially sold in the US, and was now a "holy grail" for collectors, the auctioneers said.

Anakin Skywalker from Return of the Jedi has a guide price of between £120-£180

Mr Wilson-Turner said: "The figures came from the vendor's husband's collection.

"She was delighted when we told her how much they were worth.

"Palitoy secured the rights to produce Star Wars toys in the 1970s via its US sister company, Kenner. At first Palitoy was reluctant to even launch a Star Wars range because no one had heard of the film.

"But, while America went on produce the franchise's merchandise in the millions, Palitoy's output was more modest, making it all the more appealing to collectors both sides of the Atlantic."

Also in the sale will be a R2-D2 figure with pop-up lightsabre, which is expected to sell for between £300 and £400.

An Amanaman could go for a much as £350 and a Luke Skywalker figure has a guide price of between £200 and £300.

The toys go under the hammer in Etwall, Derbyshire, on 24 July.