RARE PHOTOS AND AUTOGRAPHS OF THE BEATLES DURING FILMING OF STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER, SOLD FOR £2,900

A selection of rare photographs of the Beatles filming in Kent has been sold for £2,900 - well over the expected price.

The selection of images - and autographs of three of the legendary band - went under the auctioneer’s hammer in the sale run by Ibbett Mosley.

It had been expected to fetch £2,000 after interest was shown from around the world.

The pictures were taken when the Liverpool band filmed at Knole Park in Sevenoaks on the last two days of January 1967.

The group, along with manager Brian Epstein, appeared for the filming of the Strawberry Fields Forever.

A local photographer, who wishes to remain anonymous, took a sequence of pictures during the two-day visit and was able to obtain the autographs of John Lennon, Ringo Starr and Paul McCartney. He was less successful with gaining George Harrison’s signature who, when approached, told the cameraman to “p**s off”.

Also at the sale, were photographs and autographs from stars at the UK movie premiere for Julie Andrews’ Thoroughly Modern Millie which took place at the Odeon cinema in Sevenoaks in 1968 - again obtained by the same photographer.

Before the sale, the auctioneers said: “The photograph features Diana Dors, Max Bygraves, who predictably arrived in his white Rolls Royce, Shirley Anne Field, Peter Haig and Jess Conrad. The autographs are all originals appended to the group photograph on the evening of the film.”

Auctioneer Derek Hodge said: “We have had questions from people across the UK and as far as the USA. The photographer is a friend of mine and he decided it was time for others to enjoy these amazing pictures.”