Michael Jackson lyrics set for auction

Previously unreleased lyrics written by Michael Jackson are set to be a big seller at an upcoming Los Angeles auction.

The eight-and-a-half line verse is being sold by Dr Arnold Klein, the late star's dermatologist, and is expected to go for almost $5,000 .

Dr Arnold Klein is giving up the handwritten lyrics, which feature the lines "Across the sea of time, we shall meet on endless shores, counting our blessings of love's eternity", after being declared bankrupt last year (11).

Catherine Williamson, of Bonhams auction house, says, "It looks like it is written in poetic format. There are eight-and-a-half lines and they feel like lyrics. We could not find it in any of his published music so maybe it was a work in progress or is a song that has not yet been released. These lyrics are pretty intriguing and we will expect they will attract a lot of attention."

The sale takes place in Los Angeles on 23 January (12). Michael Jackson died in 2009.