music fans who attended any of the early 1960s Beatles concerts in East Lancashire could have a fortune stashed away in their attics.

And this week fans of the Fab Four and other pop groups can find out whether their old programmes, concert tickets and autographs are worth pennies or thousands of pounds.

Any doubts about authenticity will also be laid to rest when Tracks, the world's largest dealers in Beatles and other rare pop memorabilia, hold two valuation days.

The business, based in offices in Chorley town centre, began 12 years ago when collector Paul Wayne began buying and selling items as a hobby.

Tracks now has five full-time members of staff who travel around the world valuing and buying items.

It has a catalogue of items available and a database of around 6,000 customers.

Jason Cornthwaite, events organiser, said: "It is mainly concert related items that we are interested in and we buy on the day, but there is no obligation for people to sell at all.

"If people have any items of pop memorabilia in their homes it is definitely worth them bringing them along. People are very often surprised by the value of stuff.

"Last week a woman in Bath brought along two sets of Beatles autographs, but didn't know if they were real or not. They were and she walked away with £5,000."

On January 25, 1963, the Beatles signed numerous autographs after a concert at the Co-operative Hall, Darwen.

It was one of the few occasions this happened as Beatlemania took Britain by storm just two weeks later when Please Please Me was released.

The scraps of paper signed that night would now be worth around £2,000. In the last five years the price of certain types of Beatles memorabilia has significantly increased. This particularly applies to signatures, concert memorabilia and some novelty items.

A Beatles concert poster from the Nelson Imperial in 1963 or 1964 or one from Blackburn's King George's Hall on June 9, 1963, in decent condition could bring £4,000 compared to £2,000 five years ago.

An elaborate ticket stub from the Fab Four's 1963 performance at the Co-operative Hall in Darwen could bring £150.

Jason said: "The value of other memorabilia not related to the Beatles has also risen as collectors and the public in general are becoming more interested in the field of rock 'n' roll memorabilia.

"Much of this interest stems from the fact that pop memorabilia in general is seen as a good investment. But the fascination also emanates from the fact that rock 'n' roll music, artists and bands have played a significant part in many people's lives.

"For many collecting memorabilia is a way of preserving memories of concerts and remembering their idols."

Tracks will hold memorabilia days at Fernhurst Star lodge, Bolton Road, Blackburn on Saturday between 10am and 5pm and at the Star Cycling Club, Manchester Road, Nelson, on Sunday, between 10am and 4.30pm.