A COMIC-BOOK stash found in a North-East man’s bedroom by his widow is expected to raise thousands at auction next week.

Some of the world’s rarest and most collectable comics will go under the hammer on Tuesday February 11.

The sale, to be held at Newcastle’s Anderson & Garland auction house, will include a valuable collection painstakingly put together by the unnamed Darlington man.

Discovered in his collection were highly sought after first issues of Spiderman and X-Men that could be worth in excess of £1,000 each.

Expected to attract the attention of comic book fans across the country, the incredible haul also includes a number of rare Marvel issues and a complete run of Spiderman from no.1 to 234 and X-Men from no.1 to 160.

The oldest comic in the collection features the Incredible Hulk and dates back to 1962.

Fred Wyrley-Birch from Anderson & Garland said the collection ran into its thousands and is expected to raise more than £20,000.

He said: “Comic book collectors these days are often those with the money to collect who buy at the top end and store the comics away.

“This is of a different nature. The comics have been well-read but well looked after and it is definitely a collection that has started in boyhood.”

Comic book fans are expected to flock to the dedicated comic book sale, which features more than 450 lots and comes just days after the major Newcastle Film and Comic Con.

Other rare items set to go under the hammer include early editions of North-East favourite Viz magazine and a complete run of influential British comic The Eagle.

Auctioneer John Anderson says comic book fans will be in seventh heaven.

He said: “If you are a comic collector, which I used to be, it’s an extraordinary sale.

“I have spent the last three weeks counting them all. It’s well worth the time and effort because of this amazing discovery in Darlington.

“Unfortunately, the Spider-Man and X-Men No 1s are not in mint condition, which is where the real money is.

"A mint condition Spider-Man No 1 and X-Men No 1 can command £20,000 but we hope to achieve £1,000 for this edition, which is well-read.”

For more information, visit andersongarland.com.