PORTRAITS of two of Herefordshire's greatest talents - one a natural born county son, the other by accident of birth - will be on sale at a London auction house in October.

Ledbury-born Poet Laureate John Masefield and the actor David Garrick, a giant of the 18th century stage claimed by his Hereford birthplace, are among an extensive collection of historical portraits going under the hammer at Bonhams.

The collection, which has been compiled by manuscript expert and collector Roy Davids over the last 30 years, is made up of about 300 portraits of writers, artists, musicians and philosophers.

Masefield is undergoing something of a critical revival having been consigned to the sidelines of English literature.

Garrick was born at the Angel Inn - now Bill's delicatessen - on the corner of Widemarsh Street and Maylord Street - while his father, an army captain, was recruiting in Hereford.

The sale takes place at Bonhams, 101 New Bond Street, London, from 11am on Monday, October 3.