Photos of Stan Laurel sold at Newcastle auction

Stan Laurel, left, with his elder brother Gordon and sister Beatrice in 1897

A collection of family photographs of Cumbrian-born comedian Stan Laurel has been sold at an auction in Newcastle.

Most of the 54 lots had never been seen before, with many featuring his long-time screen partner Oliver Hardy.

Auctioneers Anderson and Garland had expected the photos to fetch in the region of £15,000, but in the end they raised a total of £8,000.

The collection was put up for sale by Stan Laurel's great-niece, who lives in Sunderland.

The most popular lot, which featured a set of seven photos dating back to 1897, were sold for £1,400.

They feature the comedian performing a play in his back yard in North Shields with his brother and sister.

A spokesman for Anderson and Garland said the photos had been purchased by a number of collectors.

Stan Laurel was born in Furness, now in Cumbria, but spent much of his life in the north-east of England. He went to school in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, and his father managed a number of theatres around the region.

He went to school in Tynemouth, and statues have been erected in his honour in North Shields and Ulverston, Cumbria.