A RARE statuette of Britain's youngest Prime Minister is to go under the hammer.

Auctioneers Anderson and Garland, in Newcastle, could hardly believe it when the 16in bronze figure of William Pitt the Younger turned up in the saleroom.

Its arrival coincides with the publication of Pitt's biography, written by William Hague, the MP for Richmond in North Yorkshire and the former leader of the Conservative party.

The auctioneers immediately wrote to Mr Hague asking if he would like to place a bid for the figure.

Collectables specialist John Anderson said: "Of course, many critics have noted the parallels between Pitt's early career and that of William Hague.

"Both showed a gift of oratory and remarkable political awareness at an early age."

The son of William Pitt the Elder, Pitt The Younger became Chancellor of the Exchequer aged only 23 and Prime Minister a year later.

A Tory, he was twice Prime Minister, between 1783 and 1801 and 1804 and 1806.

The statuette goes under the hammer on Wednesday.