Diana's school eraser to be sold

Princess Diana wrote her name on the desk rubber

A desk rubber used by Princess Diana when she was at boarding school in Norfolk is expected to fetch more than £300 when it is auctioned later.

The eraser, which has Diana's writing on it, was used by the princess when she was a nine-year-old pupil at Riddlesworth Hall near Diss.

It is part of a collection of royal memorabilia being auctioned in Colchester, Essex.

The collection is expected to fetch about £32,000 in total.

Diana kept the desk rubber even after she married Prince Charles, but then gave it away to her secretary, Jane Parsons.

A letter from the princess to Miss Parsons is expected to fetch up to £700 in the same sale at Reeman Dansie auctioneers.

Miss Parsons gave evidence at the trial of Michael Fagan who broke into Buckingham Palace and disturbed the Queen when she was in bed.

In the letter, dated 24 September 1982, Diana praised Miss Parsons' courage, writing: "Dear Jane, I just wanted you to know that I thought of you on Thursday at the Old Bailey.

"You are marvellous to have gone through the ordeal and well done. Yours sincerely, Diana."

Two signed Christmas cards which Prince Charles and Princess Diana sent to Miss Parsons could sell for between £400 and £500 each.