Stan Laurel letters go under the hammer

More than 40 letters written by Cumbria-born Stan Laurel are expected to fetch up to £12,000 at auction on Tyneside this week.

The comedy legend, who made more than 100 films with his partner Oliver Hardy, was a prolific letter writer in later life.

He sent regular notes from California to his cousin Nellie Bushby in their home town of Ulverston.

Together with several letters to a fan, they are going under the hammer at Anderson & Garland in Newcastle on Wednesday.

Collector and lifelong fan Rodney Hardcastle, who is selling the letters, says they offer a unique perspective into the real Stan Laurel