A SILK scarf owned by Hollywood icon Audrey Hepburn will go under the hammer next month.

The scarf was sent to Bournemouth schoolgirl, Linda Barnes, in 1963, after the youngster had become seriously ill with anorexia.

Accompanying the item was a handwritten letter which read: "Enclosed is also a scarf which I thought you would like.

"I find it so pretty with all its woodland flowers, most of which grow up here in the mountains. I send you my warmest wishes, and love, Audrey."

The scarf will be auctioned off at the Charterhouse sale in Sherborne. Auctioneer Richard Bromell said: "Rarely do items belonging to star of stage, screen and fashion icon Audrey Hepburn come on the market.

"This is due to fans and collectors keeping their treasures safe just like our client who has owned the scarf, photographs and letters for the past 56 years."

As a girl, Linda lived in Bournemouth. When she was 13 she developed anorexia nervosa and became dangerously ill over the next few years.

The first film Linda watched Audrey in was Roman Holiday when she was about six years old.

While Linda was ill she sent a note to the actress asking for a photograph, via Paramount Films in London. This note landed on the desk of James Wilcox, who worked in the publicity department of the studio.

In his reply, dated December 1962, Mr Wilcox said: "Normally I am not permitted to give or sell film star photographs for private collections, but this time I am making an exception

Linda cannot recall why Mr Wilcox made an exception and sent her some images, but she suspects her mother might have also posted him a covering letter mentioning her illness – as at the time she was not expected to live for long.

After Mr Wilcox forwarded Linda’s note on, the schoolgirl received the reply, with the scarf, from Audrey.

In the auction, scheduled for Friday, June 21, the silk scarf, the handwritten letter, a signed photograph, other photographs and ephemera which were collected by Linda Barnes as a girl, will be available.

They are estimated to sell for £1,000-£2,000 and Linda has decided to donate the proceeds of the auction to UNICEF, which Audrey supported from the early 1950s.

Audrey was born in 1929. She lived abroad and studied ballet, moving to London in 1948 where she continued her dance training and started performing as a chorus girl in West End productions.

Having had minor parts in several films she starred in the Broadway play Gigi in 1951.

In 1952 she shot to stardom for playing the lead role in Roman Holiday, for which she was the first actress to win a Golden Globe Award, an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award for a single performance.

She then went on to star in numerous Hollywood films including Sabrina, War and Peace, My Fair Lady and Breakfast at Tiffany’s.