PARTS of an Apollo spacecraft, a Russian cosmonaut's helmet and even a bottle of lunar wine are tipped to fetch thousands of pounds at auction.

Award-winning space writer and lecturer Phill (corr) Parker, 71, is selling his vast collection of nearly 200 fascinating items.

They include a space helmet used and signed by Russian cosmonaut Alexsandr Yolkov during high altitude training ahead of his mission to Salyut 7 in 1985. A bottle of ‘space white wine’ taken up by the cosmonauts is also being sold along with a replica moon boot signed by the Apollo-16 astronaut Charlie Duke.

Somerset County Gazette: COSMONAUT: A space helmet used and signed by Russian cosmonaut Alex sandr Yolkov during his trip to Salyut 7 in 1985. Picture SWNS

• COSMONAUT: A space helmet used and signed by Russian cosmonaut Alex sandr Yolkov during his trip to Salyut 7 in 1985. Picture SWNS

Mr Parker, 71, from Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffs., said: "As I approach my 72nd birthday, I believe it’s time to ensure my collection of historic spaceflight hardware items and paper documents will continue to be utilised to record the first golden age of space exploration by auctioning to interested parties.

Among the incredible collection for sale is an Apollo spacecraft power sub assembly worth is expected to sell for £1,000; space shuttle cables for £160 and a test fired lunar module lander ascent stage and rocket valve going under the hammer for £2,000.

Somerset County Gazette: MISSION: An Apollo LM Burst Disk. Picture SWNS

• MISSION: An Apollo LM Burst Disk. Picture SWNS

More bizarre items include a grapefruit and pineapple drink tube which is tipped to fetch up to £550; flown-in-space tomato seeds worth £70; and a MIR international spacesuit which is expected to sell for up to £300.

The collection also boasts autographs from America and Russian astronauts including Neil Armstrong, the first man on the Moon in 1969, and fellow Moon walker Buzz Aldrin.

The Phill Parker Collection of Space Exploration Memorabilia will go under the hammer at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers on September 3.