Memorabilia from icons of music, film, TV and theatre goes under the hammer

An acoustic guitar used by Coldplay's Chris Martin is among hundreds of items of entertainment memorabilia going under the hammer today, including a note from Paul McCartney and an Thunderbirds puppet.

The guitar - used it during the recording of the band's debut album Parachutes - is expected to sell for between £7,000 and £9,000.

Martin bought the guitar in Devon and took it with him to university in London, where the band formed.

The instrument is among almost 300 pieces of music and entertainment memorabilia going on the auction block at Bonhamsin London from noon.

It joins two guitars belonging to Eric Clapton, which are expected to go for between £4,000 and £7,000.

Eric Clapton's guitars are expected to sell for between £4,000 and £7,000 Credit: Bonhams

Resident specialist Natalie Downing said the auction was a great chance for fans to get their hands on a piece of musical history.

The note from Paul McCartney is expected to sell for up to £500 Credit: Bonhams

Among the other lots up for sale is a page of a notebook signed by Sir Paul McCartney in March 2009, is priced between £300 and £500.

An original Thunderbirds Lady Penelope puppet is also up for grabs, with the hefty price tag of between £15,000 and £20,000, along with an early black and white publicity photograph of Charlie Chaplin, priced between £1,000 and £1,500.

Autographed LPs, original signed theatre programmes and even awards trophies are among other items on the list.

The original Lady Penelope puppet is expected to fetch up to £20,000 Credit: Bonhams
This early publicity photograph of Charlie Chaplin is priced between £1,000 and £1,500 Credit: Bonhams