A hospital spokesman said it is hoped that well-known Fakenham auctioneer James Beck will return home this afternoon to continue his recovery from a serious road crash which took place in mid November.

The crash left Mr Beck, 38, who lives in Colkirk, near Fakenham, with what police described as 'life threatening' injuries, including a damaged right lung, a broken collarbone and internal bleeding.

He has been receiving treatment at Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King's Lynn, over the last few days after being transferred there from Papworth Hospital in Cambridgeshire.

A spokesman for Queen Elizabeth Hospital said: 'We are hoping, if all goes well, he will be discharged today and have continuing care out in the community.'

Mr Beck, who runs the long-established business James Beck Auctions on Cattle Market Street, Fakenham, was riding an Aprilia 1,000cc motorcycle at about 2.40pm on Sunday, November 13, when he was involved in a collision with a Volkswagen Golf car on the A148 King's Lynn to Fakenham road at Sculthorpe.

A notice outside the auction house today, stated there will be no auctions until further notice.

Mr Beck's family has asked for people to respect their privacy.