THE world's largest collection of James Bond memorabilia is officially up for sale.

Verified as the world's biggest collection of 007 paraphernalia in 2014, the collection is currently owned by Nick Bennett.

Nick, 57, is from Leigh, and originally stored his collection in his house until it grew so large that the businessman had to store it on an industrial estate in Warrington.

Now, however, after collecting Bond items since the launch of GoldenEye in the mid-1990s, Nick is ready to auction off his collection.

At the time Nick's collection was verified as the largest in the world, his hoard of Bond goodies totalled some 12,463 pieces of memorabilia.

Speaking to Omega Auctions, Nick said: "I have thoroughly enjoyed collecting and owning these items.

"Now I've made the decision to sell and pass them on to someone else who will enjoy them after me.

"Over 30 years of collecting will find new homes and probably a younger audience for the world's greatest spy."

Included in Nick's impressive store of Bond items is a speedboat used to promote 1973's Live and Let Die - Roger Moore's first outing as the MI6 agent.

Some items are expected to fetch thousands of pounds, such as Nick's collection of first-edition Bond novels, penned by Ian Fleming; they are expected to be worth between £2-3,000.

Nick's collection includes a number of collectables, including posters, books, toys, clothes, props, postcards, and autographs.

The extent of the hoard is so vast that it is unknown exactly how many auctions will need to take place in order to sell the whole collection.

As per Omega Auctions, the first sale will take place on Tuesday, September 26.