A MARBLE sculpture designed by Barbara Hepworth and owned by the late Sir Martyn Beckett, of Nawton, is expected to fetch up to £40,000 at a London auction next month.

Sir Martyn, who divided his time between his home at Nawton, near Helmsley, and London, died in August last year and the sculpture was part of his large art collection.

It was produced by Yorkshire sculptor Dame Barbara in 1969, only six years before her tragic death in a fire at her studio.

The green-coloured Irish marble sculpture, fewer than 11 inches high, is titled Two Opposing Forms (Grey And Green), and is described by London auctioneers Sotheby's as "unique".

Lucy Beckett, the late Sir Martyn's daughter, who lives at Rievaulx, said the sculpture had been part of the collection her architect father had built up at his London home. The family was now selling some of the items from the collection.

"It's quite abstract and made of greyish marble," she said.

"He collected a good number of modern paintings and bits of sculpture, and several by Barbara Hepworth and Ben Nicholson.

"He was quite a collector."

Sir Martyn was a keen supporter of the arts. He held several posts in London, but was also one of the Friends of York City Art Gallery and was the first president of the Ryedale and Helmsley Festival.

Lucy said: "My father was a very good watercolour painter himself and he had a number of exhibitions in London and Yorkshire."

Sir Martyn was an architect by profession and his practice was based in London, where his many projects included rebuilding of the east end of King's College Chapel, Cambridge.

Born at the family's country seat Kirkdale Manor, Helmsley, his North Yorkshire home was at Kirkdale Manor Farm, Nawton, which he designed in 1959, and which is where his son, Jeremy, now lives.

His other son, Richard, who succeeded to the title following his death, lives in London. Sir Martyn's wife, Lady Priscilla Brett, died in 2000.

The sculpture is to be auctioned on February 5.

Updated: 12:00 Wednesday, January 16, 2002