A huge collection of valuable artworks, including two Lowrys, originally belonging to a BAFTA-winning Kent actor are set to go under the hammer.

They are from the estate of Peter Barkworth, who, in his day, was a much-loved household name with many film and TV roles - including Where Eagles Dare, Wilde, Dr Who, The Avengers, Colditz and Telford’s Change.

Born in Margate and later living in Folkestone and London, Barkworth was an avid collector of art.

Following his death in 2006, he bequeathed 55 works to the National Trust, but about 100 of his favourite pictures were left to his partner David Wyn Jones who died last year and are now being sold by his family.

The artworks include two by LS Lowry, together estimated at up to £37,000, as well as a painting by Bridget Riley which could fetch up to £30,000 and other works by Ivon Hitchens, William Scott and Samuel Peploe.

The subjects range from portraits to landscapes and abstract art and are being sold at the Canterbury Auction Galleries on Friday, April 12.

But some of the pictures are estimated as low as £50.

The sale also includes one of Barkworth’s BAFTA statues he won for Best Actor - first in 1975 for Crown Matrimonial and then in 1978 for his roles in Professional Foul and The Country Party.

The actor had a home in London but kept his seaside retreat in Folkestone until his death, becoming president of the town’s Metropole Arts Centre.

Early in his career, he went into repertory theatre with the Arthur Brough Players in Folkestone, making his debut in 1948 and appearing many times at the town’s Leas Pavilion.

Reportedly, Brough fell out with him quite spectacularly when Barkworth left the players for a similar role in Sheffield.