Rock legend Eric Clapton has parted company with 70 of his beloved guitars in aid of a charity auction.

The event, which took place on Wednesday drew hundreds of fans and broke sales estimates.

His 1948 Gibson hollow body guitar – which had an estimated value of $30,000 - brought in $83,000, making it the most expensive item in the auction.

Proceeds will go to the Crossroads Center, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility in Antigua which Eric, himself a recovered alcoholic and drug user, founded in 1998.

This isn't the first time the musician has auctioned his instruments for the cause, having raised more than $5 million in 1999 and $7.5 million in 2004.

The 65-year-old is considered one of the world's best guitar players and was crowned by Rolling Stone magazine in 2004 one of the greatest musicians of all time.

Photo: © Getty