
The world's largest collection of toy soldiers is to be auctioned after all 250,000 were found in a British collector's garage.

The quarter-of-a million tiny military people and vehicles belonged to a man who died of leukaemia aged just 55.

Carmelo Mazzotta, of Brislington, Bristol, began collecting toy soldiers as a boy and dedicated his life to them.

The collection, some of which was displayed in their individual regiments in the garage, is understood to be the biggest in the world ever to go to auction.

The figurines are made out of a variety of materials, including lead, metal and plastic.

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The world's largest collection of toy soldiers is to be auctioned after all 250,000 were found in a British collector's garage

The quarter-of-a million tiny military people and vehicles belonged to a man who died of leukaemia aged just 55

The figurines, which were owned by Carmelo Mazzotta, are made out of materials including lead, metal and plastic

The collection, some of which was displayed in their individual regiments in the garage, is understood to be the biggest in the world ever to go to auction

Most of the soldiers stand between one and two inches tall, although some of them are larger

As well as the floor space in the double garage, there was also a mezzanine floor - and four shelves wrapped around the side of the garage - filled with the figures

Alongside the soldiers, the collection features accessories ranging from miniature forts and weapons to trees.

Most of the soldiers stand between one and two inches tall, although some are larger.

As well as the floor space in the double garage, there was also a mezzanine floor - and four shelves wrapped around the side of the garage - filled with the figures.

It took two members of staff from Wessex Auction Rooms nine days to box up the collection.

They took it back to their showroom in Wiltshire ready for a specialist toy sale later this month.

Bosses at the auction house even had to extend the showroom - by clearing out areas currently used for storage - to house and display the vast and unusual collection.

The haul, which is now being catalogued into between 200 and 300 individual lots, is expected to sell for in excess of £10,000 at auction

It took two members of staff from Wessex Auction Rooms nine days to box up the collection

Bosses at the auction house even had to extend the showroom - by clearing out areas currently used for storage - to house and display the vast collection

Wessex Auction Rooms is a specialist in toys and holds five of the auctions each year. Its toy department is headed up by BBC Bargain Hunt expert Tim Weeks

The collection also includes a range of die-cast model planes that were hanging from the garage.

The haul, which is now being catalogued into between 200 and 300 individual lots, is expected to sell for in excess of £10,000 at auction.

Wessex Auction Rooms is a specialist in toys and holds five of the auctions each year. Its toy department is headed up by BBC Bargain Hunt expert Tim Weeks.

Mr Weeks said: 'We believe this is the largest collection of toy soldiers in the UK - and possibly the world - to go to auction.

'This was a lifetime hobby for Mr Mazzotta and, as such, selling it has been an emotional experience for his family.

Mr Weeks said: 'We believe this is the largest collection of toy soldiers in the UK - and possibly the world - to go to auction'

'This was a lifetime hobby for Mr Mazzotta. Selling it has been an emotional experience for his family,' Mr Weeks added

It is believed that Mr Mazzotta spent tens of thousands of pounds on adding to the collection over the years

'It is such a vast collection that we have had to extend our showroom temporarily to fit it all in.'

He continued: 'It was absolutely mindblowing. We had to take ten minutes just to stand there and take it all in.

'This collection was so important to him and it's so important to his family. He lived his life through this collection.

'You couldn't amass a collection like this unless you really dedicated your whole life to it.'

The auction, on April 27 and 28, is expected to attracted interest from across the globe.

'For Mr Mazzotta, this was a very special and personal collection,' added Mr Weeks. 'And over the years, he must have spent tens of thousands of pounds on adding to it.

'We expect it to generate in excess of £10,000 when it goes to auction.'

The toy auction catalogue will be available to view online from this weekend. See www.WessexAuctionRooms.co.uk

The collection also includes a range of die-cast model planes that were hanging from the garage