Time to sell up! Great-grandfather, 79, who spent 30 years putting together collection of 550 alarm clocks is putting his haul up for auction and set to make tens of thousands of pounds

A great-grandfather who has spent the last 30 years amassing a wacky collection of 550 alarm clocks is now selling them at auction for tens of thousands of pounds.

Frank Randell, 79, has spent more than three decades buying hundreds of quirky clocks from across the world and admits it has turned into an obsession.

Some of them date back 90 years and include James Bond, Star Wars, The Beatles, Micky Mouse, Mr T and Flintstones-themed timepieces.

His bizarre collection is now being sold across several auctions – because none of his kids or grandchildren want to inherit it.

Some of the alarm clocks are expected to fetch up to £1,000 individually while others could go for between £100-£150 and £40-60.

It means Frank, from Nottingham, is set to rake in tens of thousands of pounds when they go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers, in Etwall, Derbys.

After collecting alarm clocks for 30 years, great-grandfather Frank Randell thinks its time to cash in

The pensioner has amassed more than 550 alarm clocks from all over the world

Among the collection are Walter and Gromit items and even a Roland the Rat clock 

Also included is a Simpsons clock, a Ghostbusters timepiece and an E.T designed effort 

The retired transport director says he has painstakingly changed the batteries on all the clocks over the years to keep them in full working order.

According to Frank, once he saw more and more interesting clocks his ‘passion became an obsession.’ 

He continued: ‘It all started with a James Bond alarm clock in the early 1990s.

‘Then I came across a Beatles alarm clock. It turned into a passion, some might say obsession.

‘Wherever my wife Ann and I went in the world – America, France, Japan, China – if I saw a clock that suited my collection I bought it.

‘I searched for them at collectors’ fairs too. They were all kept on display in glass cabinets in a basement room used for family events.

‘I documented every clock, where I bought it and what it cost. And every six weeks I checked over them all, replacing any dead batteries. That was a big job.

‘I’ll be turning 80 this year and I’ve decided it’s time to say goodbye to my collection.

‘The kids don’t want them. I’d like to see them go to collectors who will enjoy them as much as I have.

‘My favourites are the animated clocks. I am keeping a few for my three children, six grandchildren and great granddaughter.’

His collection could be sold for tens of thousands of pounds at auction 

The antique clocks have hidden decorations on them including Little Red Riding Hood

Fortunately for Frank he has kept every alarm clock in pristine condition ahead of the auction

His steadfast dedication to his collection is set to earn him thousands of pounds 

The first 100 lots of the collection are being offered in Hansons Auctioneers’ Toy, Clocks & Models Auction on April 28.

Hansons’ valuer Steve Fulford said: ‘I was blown away by the size of Frank’s collection.

‘I have never come across anything quite like it. It’s phenomenal and I absolutely love it.

‘People amass all sorts of things, from toys and cars to ceramics and militaria, but specifically focusing on alarm clocks is pretty unusual.

‘Most clock collectors go for centuries-old timepieces, antiques from the days of early clock production.

‘Not Frank! He’s been busy buying 20th century alarm clocks dating from the 1930s onwards.

‘Frank’s looked after them well and even kept the boxes. They’re in good condition and work.

‘Their just isn’t time to catalogue them all in time for the April sale so we plan to spread them out across a few auctions.

‘I’m sure bidders will like them including interior designers on the hunt for vintage wares to decorate homes.

‘There is something for every budget in this collection. Some clocks will be sold in groups of five starting from £40-£60.

‘Others will be sold individually with estimates of £100-£150.

‘The best example I am aware of is a Bakelite clock with a moving ship. I have seen those fetch between £400 and £1,000 at auction.’

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