Sir Elton's mother sells off collection

A HIGHLY-PRIZED collection of Sir Elton John memorabilia which is being sold by his mother is generating global interest from buyers, auctioneers have revealed.

The treasure trove includes more than 100 gold and platinum discs, tour jackets and VIP passes his mother, Sheila Farebrother, used for backstage access at his shows. Two multi-platinum discs marking the success of Candle In The Wind, which recorded more than 33 million sales when it was re-released in tribute to Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997, are being sold.

There are also two platinum discs for the first million sales of the 1973 album Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.

Auctioneers say the collection is a "once-in-a-lifetime" opportunity for fans and collectors to own a piece of the Rocket Man's flamboyant life.

Mrs Farebrother is selling the collection at Gorringes Auctioneers in Lewes, East Sussex, on 19 October as she has downsized to a new home on the south coast.

She said: "When his career began to take off I would go along to his concerts and my main concern was that he wouldn't forget any of his lyrics."