RARE statues being auctioned in Malvern are expected to attract worldwide attention.

Ten miniature sculptures depicting "The Queen's Beasts" will go under the hammer tomorrow.

They are 25cm high versions of the originals, which were used to decorate Westminster Abbey for the Queen's coronation.

They include the Lion of England, the Unicorn of Scotland and the Dragon of Wales.

They were given to Hanley Swan resident, Eric Bedford, as a thank you present for his work in co-ordinating the 1953 Coronation.

Mr Bedford died in 2001, and his daughter, Ann Snow, has now put them up for auction with Malvern firm Green (UK) Ltd.

"It was with regret that I realised my four children, having been brought up in France and now living all over the world, would not give the beasts a suitable home," said Ann

Auctioneer Ian Green admitted the pieces have already created a stir.

"There were only three of these miniature sets ever made - one was given to the Queen, one was kept by their sculptor James Woodford, and this is the other.

"This is an opportunity to buy a piece of history.

"We've received a lot of interest and the price could be very high." n Details of the statues, as well as a tender bid form, can be found on www.invaluable.com/queensbeasts