ONE of the few surviving relics of Derby County's old Baseball Ground will go under the hammer next week.

Retired postman Ken Redfern saved the rare Victorian post box from the scrapyard when it was removed from service nearly 30 years ago.

It was at the Normanton End of the football stadium and stood witness to many key moments in the club's history, including the team setting off to the 1946 FA Cup final and the glory days under Brian Clough.

But it was removed when houses near the ground were demolished.

Mr Redfern bought it for less than £10 and the cast-iron box has been kept in his garden shed, in The Croft, Littleover, ever since.

Now, it is expected to fetch at least £150 when it is sold by Bamfords Auctioneers.

The 71-year-old, who has been a Derby County season-ticket holder for 48 years, said: "The only reason I'm selling it is because it's very heavy and I can't move it around any more. It keeps getting in the way.

"It's very historic, it even survived the bombing of the Normanton End during the war."

He has three similar post boxes which are also going under the hammer.

Steve Iredale, of Bamfords, said it was a chance for people to snap up a piece of local history.

He said: "Post boxes are very collectable, as are anything to do with the postal service.

"But this post box is of particular interest because it is from the Victorian period and is part of Derby County's history, so I'm expecting it to do very well."

The Baseball Ground was the home of Derby County Baseball Club from 1890.

Five years later, it became a football pitch and the home of Derby County FC.

It remained the home of the Rams until 1997, when the club moved to the new Pride Park Stadium, which was opened by the Queen.

In 2003, the Baseball Ground was demolished to make way for housing.

The post box will be sold together with a host of items during Bamfords three-day antique and fine art sale, taking place between March 17-19 at its Chequers Road saleroom.

The Baseball Ground post box is scheduled to go under the hammer at 2.30pm on March 19.

Viewings will be held on Sunday from 2pm to 5pm, Monday between 1pm and 5pm and Tuesday from 1pm to 7pm.

Considerable interest is expected from football fans, keen collectors of postal history and people eager to own a unique piece of local history.

Bamfords can be contacted on Derby 210 000.