Britain's worst waxworks could be yours (if you can work out who they are)

A collection including some of Britain's worst waxworks is going under the hammer - but you might have trouble recognising who they are.

The life-size lookalikes include football legends George Best and Pele, plus former showbiz stars like Ken Dodd and Telly Savalas.

But they bear little - if any - resemblance to the celebrities they are supposed to represent.

At one time the waxworks are believed to have had pride of place at Madame Tussauds in London, but after being ditched have now passed into private hands.

Some of the models show a only passing resemblance to their real-life counterparts -  while Prince Charles and a curiously-tanned Bob Hope are almost unrecognisable.

The collection goes on sale in March at David Lay Auctions in Penzance, Cornwall, where bosses hope the novelty factor will spark a bidding war.

Mr Lay said: "The lot is made up of public figures deemed out of date, either through change of appearance or waning relevance in the ever-changing world of celebrity.

"Most remain anonymous except perhaps to the most fervent of fans."

A similar collection from the Louis Tussauds House of Wax in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, gained cult status when they went up for auction last year - but they failed to sell.

But My Lay remains confident of finding a buyer, adding: "While the lot is already gathering interest among collectors it also serves as a haunting reminder for the celebrities and the famous that any time in the limelight is almost always temporary - or at least it is for their waxy lookalikes."