A CHAIR made from a tree that the Duke of Wellington stood under as he led his troops to victory at the Battle of Waterloo is going under the hammer next month.

The Wellington Chair turned up during a routine valuation morning at the Chipping Norton branch of Tayler and Fletcher.

Valuer Stephen Sheppard, based in Bourton, could not believe his eyes when a photograph of the Duke of Wellington Chair appeared before him.

It is estimated to fetch £5,000 to £8,000 but some experts believe it could sell for more than £20,000 when it goes under the hammer in Cheltenham on Thursday, March 1.

Mr Sheppard said the piece had already attracted a lot of interest.

He said: “I think the last piece made from the same tree turned up quite some time ago on Antiques Roadshow; a little cupboard which was valued at £25,000.”

In 1815 Wellington won his most historic victory against Napoleon’s French army that ended the Gallic leader’s quest for European domination.

The elm tree he stood under was bought from the Belgian landowner by John Children and made into the chair.

The chair has ‘Wellington’ in brass lettering across the frame, and there is an inscribed plaque fixed on the back referring to the battle.

It was purchased at a country house sale in Oxfordshire during the 1950s and the family have had it ever since.

The sale will be held at the Pittville Pump Rooms, Cheltenham.

For details call 01451 821666 or visit taylerand fletcher.co.uk.