A LOT of rare items are set to go under the hammer in a grand auction to raise cash for a Penwortham charity.

The sale will be held at St Mary's Church Hall, in Cop Lane, Penwortham, next month, in aid of Galloway's Society for the Blind, in Howick Park Avenue, Penwortham.

It has been organised by Chris Smith and her amateur auctioneer husband Derek, from Priory Crescent, Penwortham, who aim to compete with Sotherby's best at the sale on Saturday, March 3.

Chris said: "We've done alot of charity auctions for local good causes. Derek is very good at being auctioneer -- he can do more than 100 lots in an hour -- and he makes it look easy."

Among the 250-plus items on sale is a cricket book donated by MEP Sir Robert Atkins and a 1960s Rolf Harris style-a-phone, complete with box and full instructions, for people wishing to take a musical trip down memory lane. For those keen on political memorabilia there are plenty of signed photographs of front bench politicians including the former Prime Minister John Major, the late Labour Party leader John Smith and the former Liberal Democrat leader Paddy Ashdown.

As well as writing paper from the House of Commons and Number 10, people can bid for ornamental items including Shelley vases -- one a pixie, another a toad -- inscribed by the author, Mable Lucie Attwell.

Director of Galloway's Society for the Blind, Peter Taylor, said: "We are very grateful to Derek and Chris for all their hard work in organising such a large event. The range and quality of items given to us has been wonderful and I'm sure it's going to be a runaway success."

The auction starts at 1.30pm with viewing from 9am. Refreshments are available and admission by programme is 50p. For details or to donate items call Peter Taylor on (01772) 744148 or Chris and Derek Smith on (01772) 746143.