A FOLDER containing the ceremonial details and route maps of Sir Winston Churchill's funeral will be auctioned off next month.

The documents chart the wartime prime minister's final journey from St Paul's Cathedral in London to his final resting place in Bladon, West Oxfordshire in January 1965.

It reveals that the codename given to the meticulous state funeral plans for Sir Winston, whose birthplace was Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, was 'Operation Not Hope'.

The folder, titled Her Majesty's Service, was found by the family of an unnamed, now-dead man involved in the funeral arrangements during his police service.

It is expected to sell for up to £600 at Catherine Southon Auctioneers, Surrey, on February 22.

At the same event a Clarice Cliff Churchill Toby jug dating from around 1940 is also being auctioned for up to £1,000. Only 350 were ever produced. 

Auctioneer Catherine Southon said: "Churchill is undoubtedly one of the most important politicians of the 20th century and he had been admired by people around the globe, making his funeral one of the biggest events in post-war history.

"I am very excited to be selling not just one but two lots related to him in my next auction."