Churchill cigar butt to go on sale - 18/03/2010

One of Winston Churchill's discarded cigar butts is to go under the hammer, it has been revealed.

A Newcastle-based woman is to sell the unusual piece of memorabilia at an auction next Wednesday (March 24th), according to Journal Live.

The souvenir is expecetd to sell for between £300 and £400, though another butt smoked by the wartime prime minister sold at auction for £4,500 in January.

The butt was picked up by John Turnbull, who was on guard outside Churchill's Chequers home in 1940 when the opportune moment arose.

His granddaughter, who has put the item up for sale, told the news provider: "[My grandfather] was a gentleman and a lovely man. I have known about the cigar all my life.

"I don't know why anyone would think of picking up a cigar butt, but I am pleased he did."

Winston Churchill served as prime minister from 1940 to 1945 and again from 1951 to 1955.