A RARE biscuit tin containing saucy images added by a mischievous artist is expected to make a packet at an East Lancashire auction.

Thousands of Huntley and Palmers tins were sent out to grocers in 1980 - before red-faced bosses realised illustrations of a garden tea party had been tampered with by a freelance designer.

Most of them were recalled but a small proportion of the tins, which feature a discreetly-added amorous couple and mating dogs, were bought.

One of the few remaining tins will be auctioned in the Ribble Valley next week after it was unearthed at a home in Burnley.

The owner of the tin and her late husband are believed to have bought it at the time and only realised months after its purchase that the elegant design was not all that it seemed.

The widow, who has asked to remain anonymous, decided to auction the tin after experts informed her the Reading firm's altered tins had become collectors items.

And staff at Clitheroe-based Silverwood Auctioneers, who are handling the sale, expect the titillating tin will raise a few hundred pounds, as well as eyebrows.

Valuer Steven Parkinson said: "The design has been altered by an artist and thousands went out before they were called so they could replace the lid.

"We believe there are probably only a 100 or so in existence and to have them in such good condition is rare.

"The owner of the tin showed it to one of our experts during a home visit. We believe she and her husband had the tin for ages but it was only months after, while eating biscuits one night, that they noticed the rude design! We hope it will make between £150 and £200 at auction."

Another tin containing the same defaced design was sold for £360 at an auction in Somerset in 2004.

Reading Museum is home to 1,600 Huntley and Palmers tins - including the Kate Greenaway design which was altered. And its operations manager Dawn Bishop said the tins were a rarity.

"They are very collectable and very rare - just how many there are is hard to say as people may unwittingly have them stored in a shed for instance. But this example of naughtiness certainly attracts a lot of interest in our gallery!"

The tin will be one of 650 lots auctioned by Silverwood Auctioneers at their Lincoln Way premises from 10am on August 17.