A SET of Northumbrian small pipes with a colourful history is expected to fetch a four-figure sum at auction this week.

The instrument, made in the early 19th Century, belonged to a succession of pipers to dukes of Northumberland over the past 70 years.

Made by the acknowledged "Stradivarius of small pipes", Robert Reid, of North Shields, North Tyneside, they are being sold by the son of their most recent owner, Tom Matthews, of Ponteland, Northumberland.

Mr Matthews was the duke's piper until he was succeeded by Richard Butler, in 1982.

John Anderson, of Newcastle auctioneers Anderson and Garland, said Reid-made pipes are regarded as the best available.

He said: "The Bagpipe Museum in Morpeth has, in fact, a dozen examples of his work.

"They were only one of several owned by each of the duke's pipers, so we are not sure at which ducal occasions, if any, they might have been played."

Mr Anderson added: "But their past ownership, by the top men in small pipe playing over many, many years, has added particular interest to their desirability.

"We are expecting keen interest when they come under the hammer."

The auction takes place at Anderson and Garland's Marlborough Crescent sale rooms on Wednesday.

Further information is available from Anderson and Garland on 0191-232 6278.