Image source, Sharp family Image caption,

The flag was made from scraps of material by petty officer Sharp (pictured on the right in the back row), he was awarded The Distinguished Service Medal (DSM)

A Jolly Roger pirate flag from a World War Two Royal Navy submarine will go under the hammer later.

The flag, which has been stored in a loft in Weymouth, Dorset, for more than 40 years, was made by Petty Officer Sharp onboard HMS Unbroken.

It is being sold by his grandson Gordon Sharp, who said: "I'd like it go to a museum so other people can see it."

The flag is expected to fetch between £8,000 and £10,000 at the auction at The Tank Museum in Bevington.

Image source, Duke's Auctioneers Image caption,

The white bars signify merchant ships and the red bars represent warships sunk by the submarine

When the flag came to light in the loft, Mr Sharp said: "I didn't know what it was at first - it was incredible to be holding a bit of history in your hand.

"It was made from scraps of material onboard the submarine. It's quite large so I'm not sure where he kept it on such a small submarine, perhaps he used it as a pillow."