A GUN once owned by the region's greatest explorer is to be auctioned next month and is expected to sell for more than £15,000.

The rare flintlock pistol was owned by Captain James Cook and was at his side when he discovered Australia and became the first European to map the Pacific Ocean in his famous ship the Endeavour.

After his death, in Hawaii, North Yorkshire-born Cook left the valuable gun, made of fruit wood and which has a steel barrel, to his family in his will and it has been kept as an heirloom since the 18th Century.

Now the pistol is being auctioned off by Brenda Holder, a direct descendant of the famous explorer's sister, after it had gathered dust in her attic for decades.

To verify that the pistol is genuine, 71-year-old Mrs Holder was able to produce a copy of her family tree, showing her link to Cook, as well as the will of Capt Cook's wife and other historical papers and photographs.

The pistol has already attracted considerable interest from eager overseas bidders.

The sale is being handled by Edinburgh auction house Lyon and Turnbull, which recently sold a walking stick made from the spear that killed the great explorer, for £135,000.

Last night, Mrs Holder, who lives in Reading, Berkshire, said: "When my uncle died the pistol passed to me. I have had it for about 20 years and it has always just been kept in my loft, in the same old pillowcase my uncle kept it in.

"I am not selling it for the money. If it found a good home, that would make me happy."

The pistol will go on sale at Lyon and Turnbull's auction house on Friday, December 12.