Musician Geoff Phillips will be back in the spotlight when his vintage bass guitar comes up for auction on the BBC TV show Flog It!

Mr Phillips, 59, of Durham City, is parting with his 500/3 Hofner, which he played in the pop band Jerome when he was a teenager in the 1960s.

Hofners were made famous by Beatle Paul McCartney, who played a Hofner violin bass on many of the Fab Four's hits.

Mr Phillips discovered the guitar when he was clearing out the attic of his home and took it to a valuation day for the show at Durham Castle.

"The main presenter, Paul Martin, saw it and took quite an interest himself because he is a drummer and he said 'we'll have you on with this'. He surprised me with his knowledge of guitars."

The guitar will be sold at auctioneers Thomas Watson, in Darlington, on Tuesday, with a reserve price of £200.

"Someone offered me £450 to £500 for it, but I had to tell them it was at the auctioneers," Mr Phillips said.

"I must have only paid £15 for it secondhand. It is a desirable instrument. It's got a great round sound and sustain. The bodywork is in good condition, although it has some signs of ageing.

"There is some sentimental attachment but not enough to keep it.''

Jerome played pop covers at dances and working men's clubs all over the region - they played the Mayfair in Newcastle - and Mr Phillips later briefly joined the Originells, who had returned to the region after two singles failed to make an impact.

Between 1975 and 1985, Mr Phillips had a band that played at the Eden Arms, Rushyford but now plays guitar with well-known Durham musicians George Hetherington at monthly tea dances in Belmont Club.