A Roman sculpture, which pre-dates British civilisation and is valued at a stunning £3m, is to be offered for sale to help finance the restoration of a North Yorkshire country house.

The Jenkins Venus goes under the hammer at the London office of Christie's on Thursday, June 13 - the first piece ever sold from the collection owned by the Compton family of Newby Hall, near Ripon.

Also known as the Barberini Venus, the marble statue is the centrepiece of one of the most significant English private collections of ancient sculpture.

Originally, it was part of the famous Barberini collection, housed in Palazzo Barberini, in Rome.

In 1765, the notable collector William Weddell, who had inherited Newby Hall from his father three years earlier, bought the sculpture for an undisclosed sum from flamboyant banker and art dealer, Thomas Jenkins.

The circumstances of the deal were shrouded in mystery but it is reported that, as well as the lump sum, Weddell paid an annuity which ceased with his death and, as it was always paid personally paid, the amount was never revealed.

Now, the Compton family admit it will be a wrench to part with the sculpture, albeit for practical reasons.

"It is very sad that the Jenkins Venus must be sold, but at least my ancestors will be pleased it will go towards further restoration works at Newby," said Richard Compton.

"There have always been higher restoration priorities at Newby and it is a sad day that the fabric of the house itself and its stables now needs to be addressed. The magnificent stables are in danger of crumbling away.

"Despite being one of the Historic Houses Association's most successful houses open to the public, the opening business does not generate enough revenue to fund major restoration."