A treasure trove of Beach Boys memorabilia, estimated to be worth up to $10m (€7.6m), has been found in a Florida storage facility.

The storage company sold off the entire collection in bulk, without realising what it was, because payments had not been made.

When the buyer opened the boxes, he discovered a collection of thousands of documents including the band's first royalty cheque, for $990, dozens of signed contracts, and handwritten and copied scores to 'Good Vibrations', 'California Girls' and many other hits from the band's heyday.

The entire collection is to be sold next month through a sealed-bid auction being organised by the Fame Bureau.

Irish Independent