Rosemary Rigby started the Violette Szabo Museum at her home in Wormelow, near Ross-on-Wye, when she discovered that the SOE agent, called the 'bravest of us all' had spent many happy childhood times there.

Miss Rigby told the Ross Gazette: "I know the museum is in Herefordshire and Violette is a national heroine, but her medals should be part of the collection kept in her honour at Wormelow."

Miss Rigby told the Gazette: "I am the owner and founder of the Violette Szabo Museum, I was appalled and devastated to be told last Thursday, July 2nd, that Violette's daughter Tania is to auction her mother's George Cross on Wednesday, July 22nd. This is so very little time."

The collection includes Violette's George Cross, three Second World War campaign medals and the Croix de Guerre that she was awarded by the French for her gallantry.

Auctioneers Dix Noonan Webb, the international coins and medals specialists, told the Ross Gazette that they are "extraordinarily rare" and "one of the most important collections ever to have been offered for sale in Britain." They have been preparing for the auction for several months.

The medals are being sold together with a unique archive of documents and photographs, some previously unseen, by Violette's daughter Tania Szabó. They are expected to fetch £250,000 to £300,000.

To read the full story, pick up an copy of this week's Ross Gazette.