A COLLECTION of paintings by one of the country's most notorious gangsters is being put up for auction after gathering dust in a Suffolk attic for many years.

A COLLECTION of paintings by one of the country's most notorious gangsters is being put up for auction after gathering dust in a Suffolk attic for many years.

Seven paintings by Ronnie Kray are to be sold off by Mander Auctioneers of Clare, near Sudbury, later this month.

The works date back to the early 1970s when Ronnie was imprisoned at HM Parkhurst on the Isle of Wight.

The paintings were discovered in the attic of a Suffolk house, although it is not been disclosed who is selling the artwork.

The auctioneers said they were a gift from a former fellow inmate of the Krays, known only as Uncle Jimmy.

It is known the Krays had local connections in Sudbury and owned property in Bildeston, which may have been the inspiration for the cottage featured in some of the works.

It is thought the paintings would have been used to barter with for luxury goods inside the prison, such as tobacco.

There will be a viewing for the auction on Friday, July 25, in the Clare auction room from 9am to 8pm and the auction will take place on Saturday, July 26 at 11am. Alternatively the collection can be viewed online at www.manderauctions.co.uk.