COUNCILLORS will be going, going, gone next month when they are put under the hammer as lots in a charity slave auction.

To help raise funds for the Hyndburn Mayoral Charity Fund, 27 borough councillors and two Lancashire County councillors, Wendy Dwyer and Doreen Pollitt, have put their expertise up for grabs at the auction.

Lots include Deputy Mayor Coun Win Frankland, who has agreed to walk the highest bidder's dogs, and Coun Janet Storey, chairman of the planning committee, who be cooking up a storm for whoever offers the most money for charity.

St Oswald's ward councillor Marlene Haworth will almost certainly prove to be a popular lot after offering to do a week's worth of ironing and Coun Lynn Wilson, from Great Harwood, will be braving the elements to do someone's gardening.

The other 23 councillors, including the mayor, Coun Miles Parkinson, and the council leader, Coun Peter Britcliffe, have not specified what tasks they will do and will therefore be at the mercy of the person who bids the most money.

Coun Frankland said: "It is all for the Mayor's charity and knowing how hard it is raise money during your Mayoral year I am happy to do what I can to help.

"I just hope that I don't get left on the shelf!"

Coun Storey, who used to run a catering business, said: "I used to cater for dinner parties years ago and I have lived all over the world and been on lots of cooking courses so I will be able to cook up something exotic."

She added: "The auction is a great idea and a really good way to support the Mayor in raising money for local charities."

The brains behind the event is Coun Malcolm Pritchard, who said he could not believe the response he has had from his council colleagues on both sides of the chamber.

He said: "I am humbled and grateful to everyone who is getting involved - I can't thank them enough for agreeing to do this."

Coun Pritchard has also persuaded local businesses to make donations to the boost the number of items that will go under the hammer.

The event takes place at Accrington Town Hall on Friday, February 25, at 7pm. Tickets, priced £3, will go on sale at the information centre in the Town Hall in the fortnight.

Anyone who would like to bid for one of the lots, but who cannot make it to the event can put in a sealed bid. They must be sent to Elaine Wright, Civic Services Officer, Mayor's Office, Town Hall, Accrington, BB5 1LA.