Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre to close as auction date approaches

The museum, which is based at Fred's former home in Radcliffe Road, opened up in 2010 and has given the people the opportunity to see the house, shed, tools and stay overnight.

But last year, owner Leon Powsney revealed he was planning on closing the centre and selling off everything.

At 10am on Saturday, bidders will have the opportunity to buy Fred's beloved steam engine Kathleen as well as a Cincinatti lathe and the boiler from steam engine Betsy, which has been converted into a wood burner.

Mr Powsney, aged 70, said he was sad to see the centre close but said running it had taken its toll on him and his wife Jan, who both live in the house.

He said: "I am very, very sad but I am also relieved because I do need to get my own life back.

"I have worked so hard to keep Fred's life going but I have come to a stage where I have got to start thinking about my health and my life.

"I am sad to see it go. When I said I was putting the centre up for auction I was hoping somebody would come forward and take over the place.

"At the end of the day, my health and my wife's health comes first."

Mr Powsney said since he announced the auction and the date was revealed, he has received a lot of interest from potential buyers 'all over the country'.

A viewing of the lots will be held at the centre from 10am until 4pm today.

The auction, organised by Cheshire-based company Adam Partridge will begin at 10am tomorrow.

There will be 442 items up for auction.

Steam engine Kathleen, which has been refurbished, will have a starting price of £1,800.

A winding machine has an estimated value of between £800 and £1,000.

Fred's Acme band saw has been valued between £500 and £800.

The Victorian furnace, Cincinatti Lathe, Victorian pneumatic hammer, mine headgear, stone cutter, boiler and cast iron plaque, inscribed with Irwell Forge 1846, have all been valued at between £400 and £600 each.