Autographs snapped up at sale

An avid autograph hunter saw a third of his collection head to new homes as it went under the hammer yesterday.

But owner Martin Ballantyne, who has now switched to being an actor, is now concentrating on his next project of making a television comedy drama which he has written and stars him in the leading role.

The 38-year-old from Dussindale in Norwich is gearing up to film a pilot episode of Logg Time, which focuses on office worker John Logg and his love for the cleaner.

'I wrote it four years ago, have got a cast together and it will be filmed at various locations including an office in Norwich, pub in Great Yarmouth and county hall car park,' he explained.

In meantime he was pleased with the outcome of his auction which saw 71 of his 223 items signed by mainly showbusiness celebrities, sold. They were topped by �190 for an Avengers collection of signed photographs of the television action series including a rare 1961 one of autograph-shy Diana Rigg as Emma Peel.

Other lots included a Lord of the Rings picture which went for �75, film star Jack Lemmon for �36 and Ted Briggs, the last survivor of the sinking of HMS Hood which went for �40.

Mr Ballantyne, who has gone from tracking down movie stars to being an extra himself in films including Harry Potter and Batman, is selling his collection so other people can enjoy the items. He said he would be looking to sell the rest at other auctions next year.