HISTORIC heirlooms of two Wyre Forest families are to be auctioned off next week.

The collection, which includes watercolour paintings of the district as well as 18th and 19th century bibles and memorial cards, have been passed down by the Billingsley and Edmonds families of Frogmore House, Wolverley.

The affluent Billingsley family can be traced back to 1421 and include Kidderminster's first butter and cheese importer Albert, who also ran shops in Worcester Street.

Items for sale at Kidderminster Mar-ket Auctions will include watercolours by Hilda Billingsley of Kinver, Blakeshall and the family's former home at 68 Comberton Road.

More information on the auction on Thursday, October 16, can be obtained by calling 01562 741303.