PART of a massive antique collection built up by veteran dealer Peter Keil is to be auctioned in a two day sale in Cheltenham, Glos, following his death in a road accident last year.

Auctioneers from Sotheby's are preparing for their first ever auction in the Spa town when 900 of Mr Keil's lots go under the hammer on July 15 and 16.

Mr Keil died after being hit by a car outside his home in Broadway on November 1 last year - and now much of the stock of his famous antiques business is to go under the hammer.

Experts from Sotheby's reckon the 900 lots will fetch at least a million pounds.

The sale gets under way on July 15 at Cheltenham Ladies College and continues the next day.

Mr Keil, of Tudor House, High Street, Broadway, was walking in the High Street near his home when the accident happened.

He was taken to Cheltenham General Hospital but died as a result of his severe spinal and chest injuries.

Mr Keil had run the family business, H J Keil Antique Dealers, at shops in the Promenade, Cheltenham, and in Broadway.

The firm had been started by his father, Bill, in 1932 and Peter later took it over.

Following his death last year, the firm is being run by Peter's brother John, who has decided to rationalise the business by selling off much of the stock.

Many of the items being sold were collected by Bill Keil, a world respected figure in the antiques and furniture world.