A replica Tardis is expected to fetch around £5,000 when it goes under the hammer today.

Consisting of a ton of reclaimed oak, the life-sized copy of Doctor Who’s Tardis was built by Jason Onion, who is an avid fan of the series.

Mr Onion was a friend of the family of the programme’s co-creator, the late Anthony Coburn.

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The Tardis was built to commemorate the 50 anniversary of Doctor Who in Mr Onion’s hometown of Herne Bay, where Mr Coburn lived.

Its unveiling took place in 2013 at the Herne Bay bandstand, where Mr Coburn's wife, the now-late Joan Coburn-Moon, was the first to step inside it.

The police box has been exhibited at several science fiction festivals and events since, raising money for charity in the process.

But Mr Onion had always intended to auction it and donate the proceeds to charity.

“Already I have raised up to £4,000 for Children in Need, taking it to various conventions around the country,” said the artist and designer.

“I call it an antique of the future and it has about 30 signatures inside of former Doctor Whos and cast members, which makes it unique.

“I hope it will go to a good home and be appreciated.”

It is expected to spark a bidding war at the Canterbury Auction Galleries today.

Auctioneer Tony Pratt said: “It’s quite a difficult thing to value but there is a worldwide following of Doctor Who.

“We have given it an auction estimate of between £3,000 and £5,000."

While researching the Doctor Who story for his Tardis project, Mr Onion found some undiscovered scripts of the first Doctor Who episodes in the Coburn family’s attic.

They suggested that the opening scene of the first episode was inspired by the seafront at Herne Bay, where Anthony Coburn enjoyed seaside walks.