It certainly won't be the biggest audience he ever attracted, but even after his death Frank Sinatra's talent as a crowd puller will be confirmed in a small corner of Scotland.

The auction tonight of a rare find of classic 78rpm records by the American crooner are expected to draw his fans from all over the country to the village of Mortlach, Speyside.

The congregation of the church hopes to break its own record for fundraising, when around 40 vintage gramophone records featuring Ol' Blue Eyes and other stars from the 1950s, which were found as a member of the congregation of Dufftown Chuch cleared his attic, are sold.

His find is the star attraction at the biennial auction for church funds which is expected to generate considerably more than the previous sale's #1000.

In the wake of the singer's death and the current of interest in all things Sinatra, a bidding war is anticipated at the sale at West Church.

Elder Hamish MacDonald, joint convener of the auction, said: ''They were actually handed to me within a pile of other records just two days before Frank Sinatra died.

''I didn't realise they were there until I was looking through the pile. I couldn't believe it when I saw the Sinatra ones. Apparently they are very rare.

''We are preparing ourselves for a much bigger turnout, as there has been such a rush of people buying up anything to do with Sinatra. We hope to get a great price for them.''

The Columbia records, still in their original plain brown sleeves, have one track on each side and are taking centre stage at the auction.

The Sinatra recordings were found in a bundle of 40, which also included Bing Crosby, Louis Armstrong and Vera Lynn discs.

Mr Jim Sandison, a record expert and collector from Aberdeen, said: ''I am sure there will be a lot of interest in the auction.

''What would be very interesting is if these records turned out to be a set. A set is very much more collectable and would certainly command a higher price.''