An impressive collection of meticulously compiled Space Race photographs has been sold at Canterbury Auction Galleries.

Assembled by a former science editor of the Daily and Sunday Mirror, the array of rare photos amounts to 23 ring-binders containing about 450 folders.

Ranging from autographed portraits of US, Soviet and European astronauts to numerous moon surface images and shuttle launches, the collection was sold following the death of its creator Ronald Bedford in 2012.

Titled Space Travellers, the lot fell short of its guide price of £6,000 to £8,000, selling for £4,600.

Auctioneer Tony Pratt said: “A work of remarkable devotion, it is worthy of being included in any international archive devoted to space exploration.”

Ronald died aged 90 and spent his final years in Broadstairs, with one of his wishes being “to give as much pleasure to people as possible” by selling his photographic archive.