ORGANISERS of the celebrity tie auction to give leukaemia sufferer Chelsea Noone the holiday of a lifetime were disappointed by the poor response.

Despite widespread publicity, only a small number of callers rang to bid for the celebrity ties that went under the hammer in a two-day charity auction.

But there was no disappointment for Mr Barry Chaytow, of Whitefield, who paid £250 for the six ties donated by Mohammed Al Fayed, Kevin Keegan, Richard Branson, Graeme Souness, Eamon Holmes and William Hague.

Mr Chaytow, managing director of a Middleton tie manufacturer's, was delighted with his buy. "We manufacture ties and when I read about the auction I thought it was something a little different," said Mr Chaytow. "The ties will be displayed in our front reception. I was also glad that I could help such a worthy cause."

The £250 will be added to the £500 already raised from the raffle of a Harrods hamper and teddy bear donated by the Harrods owner, Mr Al Fayed.

Eight-year-old Chelsea and her family of Alma Street, Radcliffe, will be able to choose any destination in the world through Althams travel agent in Bury, who will also donate money towards the holiday. Organiser Mrs Yvonne Wright, chairman of Bolton Street Business Club, said: "I am pleased that we have been able to help Chelsea and her family.

"And I hope they will have a fantastic holiday which they thoroughly deserve."

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