Rare medal expected to fetch £500,000

A MEDAL belonging to Lord Nelson is expected to fetch up to £500,000 at auction next month.

The silver, gold and enamel Breast Star of the Order of the Bath was awarded to Nelson for his role at the Battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797 where, disobeying orders, he left the fleet and attacked and captured two Spanish ships.

Auctioneer James Morton, of Sotheby's, said of the medal: "This is an exceptionally important piece of Nelson memorabilia."

The star was presented to Nelson's brother after his death and he passed it to a friend, Admiral Sir Richard Keats. A descendant of Keats has put it up for auction in London.