The first guitar ever played by Sir Paul McCartney will go up for auction in London.

The instrument, owned by McCartney's old school friend Ian James, was the guitar on which the ex-Beatle learned his first chords, and is expected to raise over £100,000.

The auction will take place at Abbey Road Studios, and the guitar will be sold by James.

"The above guitar, belonging to my old school pal Ian James, was the first guitar I ever held," Sir Paul wrote in a letter of authenticity. "It was also the guitar on which I learned my first chords in his house at 43 Elswich Street, Liverpool 8."