A RARE 19th Century painting depicting a scene from Herefordshire's rural heritage is expected to make £3,000 in Sotheby salerooms early next month.

Bosley and Heath's Coach and Four was painted by artist E Holdford and is signed and dated 1811.

The oil on canvass scene, painted in the "nave" or "primitive style", depicts a coach and four in front of a granite milestone that says V miles to Hereford.

"This artist was probably untrained but still produced some excellent work," explained Dendy Easton, who is co-ordinating the Sporting Sale set for Wednesday, November 6.

"Provincial work of this style is very popular and we expect to get well within our guide price of between £2,000 and £3,000. I'm confident there will be a lot of interest."

The annual sale includes paintings, trophies, books and other sporting memorabilia related to horseracing and country pursuits.

Highlights include one of the most famous images on North East England, Blaydon Races - a spectacular 1903 oil painting by William C Irving, for which there is an estimate of £40,000-£60,000.

An early depiction of the Grand National is estimated to fetch £15,000-£20,000.

A framed lock of Red Rum's tail hair, a jockey's whip belonging to Fred Archer and a gold watch presented to the jockey Steve Donoghue to commemorate six consecutive wins with Brown Jack at Royal Ascot will all vie for attention in the sale.