COLLECTORS of antique fishing paraphernalia could net a bargain at auction this weekend.

Around 150 fishing reels will go under the hammer at Tennants Auctioneers, in Leyburn, on Saturday.

Also for sale are 100 antique fishing books, including one by JR Hartley - the author made famous in a Yellow Pages commercial.

Nick Lambert, head of collectables at Tennants, said the collection was expected to fetch about £30,000.

"It's very rare that you see collections of this quality," he said.

"The reels were made between 1820 to 1950 - there's every shape and size you can imagine."

The owner, who lived in the Leeds area, died without telling his family about the collection he kept in the attic.

"He clearly put a lot of time and effort into it without anyone knowing," said Mr Lambert.

"This was before the arrival of eBay, which has made collection much easier."