THESE are pictures of Fred Dibnah's home, tools and machinery that will be going up for auction after the closure of the heritage centre.

The late historian's remaining possessions and home in Radcliffe Road, The Haulgh, will go under the hammer early next year after owner Leon Powsney said the Fred Dibnah Heritage Centre would close for good during the winter.

The 70-year-old, from Ramsbottom, said everything from the premises must go, including a working Victorian engine and Fred's old tools and gear.

He said: "There is so much that will be going. We have a Victorian engine which we have completely refurbished.

"It is a beautiful engine and it is in full working condition. We have got all of Fred's tools, his machinery and we have got his mining head gear.

"I will feel very, very sad but I am still hoping, because of the publicity we've had since the announcement, that somebody somewhere will be able to buy the whole lot."

Mr Powsney, who lives in the home, said running the museum had been a 'fantastic journey' but said it had been at a great personal cost.

When he announced the closure, he said it was with 'mixed feelings of regret and relief'.

He said: "It has been a privilege knowing that the heritage centre has brought pleasure to many thousands of people from all around the UK and to many visitors from around the globe, including the USA, Canada, Australia, Holland, Germany, Belgium and New Zealand, all of whom would not have had the pleasure of visiting their hero's home otherwise.

"For personal reasons that I will not go into at this time I have decided that it is time for me to take a long awaited and well earned break."

Mr Powsney and his wife Jan bought the 155-year-old home and the heritage centre in 2008 for £185,000 and spent thousands creating the centre, dedicated to Fred's love of steam.

It opened its doors in 2010, six years after the historian's death, giving visitors the chance to see the home, the garden and all of Fred's tools and machinery.

As well as tours of the centre and the house — offering paying visitors the opportunity to have a cup of tea in Fred's kitchen — he even provided a self-catering bedroom for visitors from further afield.

The house and heritage centre had been put up for sale last year for £650,000 but a buyer could not be found.

Anyone who wants to register an interest in buying anything at the auction should email freddibnahtours@live.com