ALTHOUGH he never made the musical big time, ex-Beatles drummer Pete Best can still boast a degree of celebrity status thanks to his brief association with the group during their early days, reports Jenny Dennett.

In fact, the musician's standing among Fab Four fans has ensured his autograph is as collectable as many a pop star who actually made it to the top.

And to prove the point, he will be visiting Windermere on Easter Saturday (March 26) to officially open a new shop dedicated solely to selling autograph memorabilia.

Mr Best, who was replaced as Beatles drummer by Ringo Starr, will spend the day at The Autograph Shop on Crescent Road dashing off his signature for star-struck customers.

The business has been launched by Sarah McCabe, whose parents, Eric and Lissa, are veteran traders in collectable signatures. Until three years ago, the couple ran their autograph business as part of Image Gifts on Main Road, Windermere.

Mr McCabe said: "We sold the gift shop but the lady who bought it didn't want to continue dealing in autographs, so we carried on working from home.

"Then Sarah became involved. She originally wanted to join the police force, but soon got the retailing bug. She will be running the business and I'm sure she'll do it very well."

Sarah, 20, said: "I'm very excited. When mum and dad sold the other shop, I was very disappointed. I'm just so glad now."

Letters and documents autographed by the great and the good can create a lot of interest among specialist collectors. One of the most valuable items in Sarah's shop is a William Wordsworth signature, priced at just under £1,000.

Another valuable autograph with a strong Lake District connection is that of the Sixties water-speed record holder Donald Campbell, who died attempting to beat his own world record on Coniston Water in January 1967. His signature is valued at £750.

Mr McCabe added: "When people die, the value of their autographs can increase substantially. We've already had an inquiry from someone looking for Dave Allen autographs."