Treasure trove of classic cars found inside a padlocked shed after 50 years to be auctioned

A treasure trove of classic cars found inside a padlocked shed are set to go under the hammer for a six-figure sum - but could potentially be worth up to a million pounds if restored.

The collection of 50-year-old cars includes three 1970 Jaguar E types as well as a 1955 AC Aceca and a 1957 AC Ace Bristol - one of which was owned by 1960s racing driver Betty Haig, making it one of the first AC Aces built by the company.

The cars, which were found by Guy Snelling from Anglia Car Auctions in King's Lynn, Norfolk, are expected to fetch £200,000 when they are auctioned off by the company at the end of this month.

But Snelling said he thinks the cars could be collectively worth almost one million pounds if restored to their former glory.

He said: "If the AC Bristol is refurbished it could sell for £300,000 on its own and the other cars and parts will also go for a large amount of money,

"They'll most likely go to motor enthusiasts, people who may want to use them for motorsports or people who just want to keep them in their collection."

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After being tipped off about the cars, Snelling travelled to the south-east of England to a barn which was blocked by an old Land Rover.

He used a chainsaw and forklift to remove obstacles, before unearthing a collection of vintage cars which had been balanced on top of one another among other scraps and vehicle parts.

He said: "We're used to finding old cars in barns across Norfolk but these cars were discovered in a quiet and unassuming suburban area.

"No one knew they were there as they've been off the radar for so many years but I'm sure people are really excited to see them.

"It really is an extraordinary and once-in-a-lifetime find."