Nick Barber, 42, who runs a sporting merchandise business from Felixstowe, has been acquiring early speedway memorabilia for more than 30 years. Today, he has a collection worth in excess of £80,000, possibly £100,000.

His collection comprises 45,000 programmes valued at £50,000, plus thousands of badges, photographs and magazines going back to the 1930s, books on riders and clubs from the 1950s, and some equipment – including race jackets, bikes, leathers and helmets.