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AB Four followers flocked to the Village Hotel last Sunday to parade their musical wares to top Beatles memorabilia company Tracks.

Warrington music lovers raided attics and long unattended cupboards to dig out precious Beatles items to present to the experts for a free valuation.

The biggest sale was netted by a woman from Greater Manchester who sold a set of very collectable autographs, signed in Warrington, in 1961, when Pete Best was still drummer in the band, for the grand sum of £2,500.

Jason Cornthwaite, event organiser, said: "It was an extremely well attended event and, as we imagined, we discovered a lot of rare and valuable Beatles memorabilia.

"We were also delighted to meet the man who promoted the Beatles in Warrington, in 1961, who presented us with some genuine Beatles contracts and an accompanying letter from the legendary Brian Epstein. This

was a tremendous find."

And the valuation weren't just reserved for Beatles merchandise with rare photographs of Roy Storm and The Hurricanes and Ringo Starr autographs from the Rock and Calypso Ballroom at Butlins, Pwthelli surfacing at the weekend's event.

But the occasion underlined the Beatles seemingly eternal popularity - a point emphasised by George Harrison's posthumous hit, My Sweet Lord, sitting proudly on top of the charts this week.

However, confusion still surrounds the Beatles appearances in Warrington, as it seems the group may have performed a second live date at Towers Labour Club but this gig has very little documentation.

Compilers of the Complete Beatles Chronicle, generally accepted as the 'Beatles Bible,' are very keen to acquire this information and are also anxious to discover whether the Liverpool lads performed an acoustic set at Dawson's Music Store after their autograph session.

Anyone wanting an evaluation of any rare Beatles related items is asked to call Tracks on 01257 269726.