The Kent's are not expected to attend the sale on Friday

Hundreds of gifts and trinkets, such as furniture, table lamps and tennis racquets, are being auctioned with a starting price of �5 on Friday.

The Kents, who are the Queen's first cousins, are having a clear-out after selling their �5.75m home in Nether Lypiatt to Lord Drayson in April.

The items are being auctioned by Moore, Allen & Innocent in Cirencester.

Philip Allwood, principal auctioneer, said: "The phone hasn't stopped ringing with people from across the country inquiring about the sale."

Royal clear-outs

The auction marks the second royal "house clearance" in recent months.

In June, Viscount Linley raised �13.5m when his mother Princess Margaret's possessions were sold at Christie's.

The late Princess's trademark cigarette case fetched �102,000, while an anonymous bidder paid �680,000 for a portrait of her by Pietro Annigoni, dating from 1957.

The items from Friday's sale are expected to sell at a premium because of the royal connection but Mr Allwood said he did not think any of the lots would go for more than �150.

"The items here are more affordable than what was auctioned at Princess Margaret's sale which attracted a more restricted type of buyer," he added.

Three further sales of sporting equipment on 1 September, antiques on 29 September and paintings on 27 October are expected to sell more.