TEXTILE magnate Graham Watson has left paintings, works of art, jewellery, furniture and ceramics estimated to be worth at least £500,000 to Giggleswick School.

Mr Watson, who was the managing director of Lister and Co, of Manningham Mills, died in November aged 94.

He left the contents of his house to the school where he was a governor for 51 years, including 11 years as chairman.

The contents of his home, Heaton Rise in Bradford, will be sold at Bonhams in Leeds on February 4 with the reserve price around £500,000.

Among the lots are fine furniture, antique glass and silver, a large collection of Burmantofts pottery and 70 watercolours by Threshfield artist Arthur Reginald Smith.

The collection of Smith paintings was assembled over 60 years and represents some of the best work by the artist, who drowned in 1934, aged 63, while painting beside the River Wharfe near Bolton Abbey.

Also included in the sale are two George II carved open armchairs and a George I double chair back settee. There are Persian carpets, Victorian jewellery and watches and two pairs of George III candlesticks.

Mr Watson was the fourth generation of his family to manage Lister and Co Ltd, of Manningham Mills, reputedly the world's largest silk mill factory. He retired in 1959.

The company had been based in Addingham when Mr Watson's great grand-father became its manager in 1865.

Although Mr Watson was educated at Marlborough College, Wiltshire, his grandfather and father, William Hainsworth Watson, were old boys of Giggleswick and his father was a governor, hence the family connection with the school.

Headmaster Geoffrey Boult said Giggleswick School was one of Mr Watson's passions and it was extremely grateful for the bequest.

"The Chapel in particular was a very special place for him, and he replaced the lighting in memory of his brother David. He also laid the foundation stone for our new dining hall," said Mr Boult.

"This will speed up our development programme and hopefully bring to fruition projects that at the moment are only dreams.

"He was a governor for 51 years and in his death he is going to help secure the future success of the school. It is a wonderful example of somebody being able to continue their livelong commitment," Mr Boult told the Herald.

Some of the proceeds of the sale will be used to fund scholarships and the rest is likely to be used for future development projects although nothing specific has been decided.

Mr Watson also left 5,200 acres of land in Yorkshire to the National Trust and his books and bookcases to his old college, Emmanuel in Cambridge.

A memorial service for Mr Watson will be held in Giggleswick School's chapel on Friday March 28 and anyone wishing to attend should contact the school for details.