The Police star and his wife Trudie Styler recently sold their former family home in the British capital as they prepare to take up residence at a new apartment in the Battersea power station development.

It has now emerged the star is auctioning off a number of possessions so the couple can downsize their living arrangements, with around 200 items going under the hammer.

Among the lots is a Steinway piano and works from Sting's fine art collection, including a piece by British artist Ben Nicholson, which is estimated to fetch as much as $800,000 (£500,000).

Other artworks included in the Christie's London sale are pieces by Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Gustav Klimt.

"Having been entrusted with many of the greatest private collections assembled by some of the most notable figures throughout history, Christie's is honoured to be offering for sale works from the art collection of Sting and Trudie Styler," says Andy Waters of Christie's London.

"Their home... effortlessly combined luxury, rarity and colour - a skillful balance that created the ultimate London home... Each work of art was carefully chosen and the resulting collection is a testament to Sting and Trudie Styler's informed eye for art and design."

The sale is set to take place on 24 February (16).

Sting sold off the mansion in St. James's Park earlier this year (15) for around $30 million (£19 million), and his new home is an apartment at the site which featured on the cover of Pink Floyd's 1977 album Animals.

The former power station is being turned into a residential/industrial complex by developers and the musician is set to be one of the first residents to move into the luxury apartments there.