AN auction of Carl Fogarty memorabilia yesterday raised just £26,000 - well below its expected value.

The East Lancashire superbike star's father, George Fogarty, put 59 rare items under the hammer.

But the collection, auctioned by London-based Bonhams at the Classic and Motorcycle Mechanics Show in Stafford on Sunday was expected to fetch around £50,000.

The sale was part of a collection of motorcycle memorabilia up for grabs at the event, including lots from the National Motor Museum, which attracted hundreds motorsport fans.

Among the items sold by George Fogarty were team jackets, worth a few hundred pounds, to Carl's first ever road-race award, the Dave Monks Trophy.

But the prize most motor-racing fans were hoping to get their hands on was Lot 205 - Carl's 1994 World Superbike Championship Trophy, the first of his record-breaking four titles.

The coveted prize was valued at £2,600 - the highest priced lot in the collection.

But some items sold for well below their expected value, with the Dave Monks Trophy going for £750, compared to its £1,500 to £2,000 valuation, and a 1992 World Endurance Championship presentation piece, expected to fetch £1,000 to £1,500, went for just £600.

Speaking at the event, George said the auction had been nothing to do with a rumoured bust-up with his son Carl. He said: "Rather than having all this memorabilia in a damp garage I would rather it went to someone who appreciates it.

"I have still got 60 videos and 200 pictures of Carl and, of course I have got all the memories."

The auction raised more than £26,000. Also under the hammer was a Ducati team jacket, which sold for £60; a Kawasaki kit bag, also £60, and a helmet bought for £1,200.