More than 800 items owned by former Beatle Ringo Starr, including a three-piece drum kit he used in over 200 performances and recordings, will be auctioned later this year.

Ringo's first 1963 Ludwig Oyster black pearl that he played between May 1963 and February 1964 is expected to sell for between 300,000 and 500,000 US dollars (£194,000-£324,000).

The auction will also feature a Rickenbacker guitar known as the "Beatle-Backer" that John Lennon owned and later gave to Ringo. It is estimated to bring in 600,000 to 800,000 US dollars (£389,000-£518,000).

The unprecedented number of Beatles-owned objects will be offered on December 4-5 at Julien's Auctions in Beverly Hills, California.

Highlights will be displayed for a week at The Hard Rock New York in Times Square starting November 16.

The auction is expected to bring in between five and 10 million US dollars (£3.2m-£6.4m).