A COLLECTION of historically important tractors amassed by Northumberland farmer John Moffitt is expected to fetch at least £400,000 at auction.

The Hunday Collection is considered the most complete group of vintage Ferguson tractors and implements in the world.

Mr Moffitt, of Peepy Farm, Stocksfield, died in 2008. He bred many of the greatest Holstein-Friesian bloodlines of the mid and late 20th Century.

His passion for vintage tractors and engines saw him establish the Hunday Museum, which the Queen Mother opened in 1979.

The collection is being sold by Norfolk farmer Paul Rackham, who bought the 73 tractors and 100 implements in 2004.

The sale, organised by Cambridgeshire auctioneers Cheffins and Suffolk’s Clarke and Simpson, is expected to attract Ferguson enthusiasts from the UK, Ireland, Europe and America.

It includes an historically important, fully restored, MK1 long wheel base Land Rover, which has a guide price of £20,000 to £25,000.

The vehicle was the 13th long-wheelbase (107") made and was supplied to the grey Fergie manufacturers in Coventry in 1953. It is thought to have inspired the four-wheeled drive developments carried out by Harry Ferguson Research Ltd.

Oliver Godfrey, Cheffins auctioneer, said: "The collection includes tractors from Harry Ferguson’s early collaborations with David Brown and Henry Ford, through to his own T20 models and later Massey Ferguson tractors."

Rare implements include a replica tractor-mounted combine, side-mounted baler and an extremely rare game flusher that could fetch around £10,000.

The auction is at Camp Farm, Bridgham, near Thetford, on Saturday, November 14.