More than 100 Barbie dolls - some individually valued at up to £500 - are among a huge range of “next generation” collectables going under the hammer in Kent this week.

The lots also include a vast number of rare Pokemon cards, model superheroes and cars and a ticket and programme to one of the last Beatles gigs in the UK.

The three-day sale at the Canterbury Auction Galleries is on April 12, 13 and 15, and the items are among 1,400 lots which include paintings, porcelain, jewellery, furniture, silver, clocks and militaria.

But auction house boss Dave Parker says the business has to move with the times and modern collectables is a growing market he wants to tap into.

There are avid collectors of Barbie dolls all over the world, with the earliest examples from the 1960s in mint condition fetching tens of thousands of pounds.

But the most expensive still is the diamond-clad De Beers 40th Anniversary Barbie, which retailed at £85,000 when it was released in 1999.

The collection on sale in Canterbury may not reach anywhere near those giddy heights but auctioneers are still expecting keen bidding, especially since interest has been spiked by the hit Barbie movie.

One of the highest valued dolls on offer, which are all in their original boxes, is Mattel’s Barbie Woman of Royalty, Queen Elizabeth I, 2004, which is estimated at up to £500.

The dolls belong to the estate of a person from Deal who died.

There are also numerous models of superheroes including Daredevil, Wonderwoman and Aquaman on sale.

The Pokemon card collection is also expected to attract interest with some examples, like the “ultra rare” Charizard GX SV49/SV94, Holo, Hidden Fates, also estimated at up to £500.

Meanwhile the Beatles memorabilia is expected to fetch £220.

And of local interest will be a collection of ink and watercolour illustrations by the late Peter Firmin from Canterbury who, with Oliver Postgate, created Ivor the Engine and Bagpuss.

Auction house managing director Dave Parker says the business is keen to attract more modern collectable sale items which he sees as a growing market.

“We are branding it ‘next generation’ collectables and that is where we are seeing a new market of buyers who simply aren’t interested in traditional antiques,” he said.

“We will, of course, remain a traditional sale room, but we also have to move with the times to remain viable.

“We now have an Amazon and eBay generation who will bid on their phones from anywhere in the world.

“Modern collectables from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s is a growing market which we are dipping our toe into but is likely to be a significant part of the business in the future.

“And if we get enough lots, we can put together specialist next generation sales.”