The white Ludwig three-piece kit was used by the drummer in more than 200 appearances and was bought by Jim Irsay, who owns American Football team the Indianapolis Colts.

 

The kit was sold by Julien's Auctions and is one of a large number of lots being sold by STARR and his wife Barbara Bach. Part of the proceeds will go to the Lotus Foundation, a social welfare charity founded by the couple. The auction was held in Beverly Hills and online over the weekend.

 

Other lots up for grabs were a guitar used by John Lennon, which the singer gave to STARR in 1968, and STARR's own copy of THE BEATLES' White Album, marked as number 0000001.

 

In September, the first ever contract signed by THE BEATLES sold for almost £50,000.