A poem written by Sir Paul McCartney for the comedian Spike Milligan is to be auctioned in London next week.

The handwritten poem, entitled The Poet of Dumswoman Lane, also includes a cartoon called The Nutters of Starvecrow Lane, which features a man and woman giving a thumbs up sign.

It will form part of an extensive auction of the comedian's personal memorabilia at Bonhams auction house on November 25th.

Milligan's widow Shelagh, who is behind the sale, told the Telegraph that Sir Paul often visited their house in Rye for a cup of tea when the Beatles were recording nearby.

The poem, which is addresed top SPIKE MAN, reads:

"The voice of the poet of Dumbwoman's Lane/Can be heard across vallies [sic] of sugar-burned cane/And nostrils that sleep through the wildest of nights /Will be twitching to gain aromatic insights.

“The wife of the farmer of Poppinghole Lane/Can be seen from the cab of the Robertsbridge train/And passengers comments will frequently turn/To the wages the wife of a farmer can earn/The poet of Dumbwoman's lane sallies forth/He is hoping for no-one to see."

The poem is signed: "With love Paul (YESTERDAY'S MAN.)" Milligan died six years ago aged 83.

(by Jason Gregory)