A poem by Sir Sean Connery dating from 1955 has been discovered in the guest book of a bed and breakfast.

The James Bond star was staying in a guest house in Leeds when he wrote the six-line rhyme to thank the owner for his stay.

Connery, aged around 25 at the time, was touring with a production of South Pacific and was staying at a B&B run by a woman called Mrs Hawksbridge.

The book, which also contains the names of popular 1950s comedians Mike and Bernie Winters and Italian opera star Pier Miranda Ferraro, is now being offered on eBay for around £950.

The bookseller, an autograph collector from Cardiff, admits that that the Edinburgh-born film star is no poet, but says his autograph is the earliest version he has seen to date.

The poem reads: "I must say goodbye to Leeds! I'll never forget your feeds! Nor my cared for every needs! I can't find another line! To complete my little rhyme! So it's time I said Time!

"Thankyou Mrs Hawksbridge very much for a very, very welcome stay."

On eBay the seller wrote: "The highlight of the guest book is a page containing a poem, dedicated to the owner of the guesthouse, entirely written by Sir Sean Connery in 1955 and then signed.

"I'm sure you'll agree that Connery was indeed a terrible poet.

"Little did he know that only seven years later he would assume the acting role of James Bond and become the most famous actor in the world.

"This is without a doubt the earliest Sean Connery autograph I've ever seen."