ROCK superstar David Gilmour has confirmed he is selling 120 guitars at a charity auction at Christie’s in New York on June 20.

The lead guitarist and singer of Pink Floyd, who now lives in Hove, is also selling off his signature black Fender Stratocaster.

Gilmour played “The black strat” as it is affectionately known on landmark albums, The Dark Side of the Moon (1973) Wish You Were Here (1975) and The Wall (1979).

He also played the Stratocaster live at The Bath Festival in June 1970, and it became a cornerstone of the band’s psychedelic sound.

He told Rolling Stone magazine: “I didn’t want to get too ancient and have a whole stash of guitars sitting around doing nothing. Frankly, too many of them are guitars I just don’t have time to play often enough. They will give joy to other people.”

The auction will see the Stratocaster returning to its roots in New York City, where Gilmore bought it in Manny’s Music in 1970, during Pink Floyd’s north American tour.

Before the charity sale, the guitar collection will be on display to the public at Christie’s auction house in London from March 27-31.

The auction’s proceeds will benefit several UK and global charities including Gilmour’s charitable foundation which he has been running for decades. The money will be going to the larger needs of famine relief, homelessness and displacement of people through the world” he told Rolling Stone.

Gilmour and his wife Polly Samson, an acclaimed author, lyricist and journalist, are building a stunning family home on Hove seafront where they will live with their family.

The five-bedroom house will be built on the grounds of a former 19th century bath house, and the plans will restore the site to historic greatness.

Gilmour bought the land from a developer who was planning to build high-rise flats on the heritage site.

Labour MP for Hove and Portslade, Peter Kyle supported his proposal, saying he was delighted that someone was willing to renovate and develop the site. The home will feature a ground floor mezzanine, library, gym and courtyard garden with a 2.2 metre high glass canopy around its perimeter.