They are unseen photographs of one of the most infamous men in history and a remarkable insight into the brutality of the Nazi regime in its final days.

But mystery surrounds how these black and white snaps of Adolf Hitler, taken by a German soldier standing just a few feet away, ended up at a stately home in Derby.The photos, which are to go on sale at auction next month, are thought to have been taken during the summer of 1944 in occupied Belgium.

In one of them, the Fuhrer is seen visiting the capital Brussels while his troops stand to attention and give the Nazi salute.