A UNIQUE set of drawings by a famous York artist could fetch a six-figure sum when it goes under the hammer later this month.

But they will not be coming to their home city, as bosses at York's main art gallery said a bid for them was unlikely.

The drawings are images of classical mythology by sculptor and designer John Flaxman.

Flaxman was born in York in 1755 and was employed by Josiah Wedgwood who sent him to direct the famous Wedgwood Studio in Rome.

Examples of his work can be seen in Westminster Abbey and St Paul's Cathedral.

The drawings have been given an estimated price of between £80,000 and £120,000.

Richard Green, curator at York City Art Gallery, ruled out a bid, saying the price tag was too expensive.

"We do collect Flaxman's drawings here and have about 20 in the collection, but the estimated price for this particular piece of work is slightly expensive in the sense that only one page of the album could be displayed at a time."

Mr Green described Flaxman as one of the most influential artists York has produced.

And he said that if an example of his sculpting became available, the gallery would consider a bid.

He added: "Flaxman, though well known as an artist, was primarily a sculptor. At present, we do not have any of his sculptures in our collection, so if one became available we would have to consider a bid for it."

The auction will be held on Thursday at Christies, London. To see the drawings, hit the website at www.christies.com.

Updated: 09:44 Saturday, June 02, 2001