EARLY telephone bids on an array of sporting memorabilia are being accepted in advance of a charity auction to raise money for a young amputee.

Three-year-old Ethan Naisbitt, of Garden Street, Accrington, had his left leg amputated at only two days old after developing circulation problems when he was born.

The youngster was then diagnosed with a series of heart and respiratory illnesses.

His family have set up a trust fund with the help of ex-England cricketer David Lloyd.

The money will be used to buy Ethan new prosthetics, wheelchairs and other necessities as he grows older.

A recent charity car wash, organised by Hyndburn fire station, swelled the Ethan Naisbitt Trust Fund by over £1,000 and it is hoped that another fundraiser this Saturday will be equally successful.

Mr Lloyd will compere an auction of sporting goods at the King Street pub from 7.30pm. Family tickets to the event can be bought from the pub for £5.

Items for auction include signed 2006 season shirts from Accrington Stanley, Blackburn Rovers and Chelsea - which also features Mourinho's autograph.

A 2005 Manchester United shirt is also up for grabs, along with an England shirt signed by John Terry and Shaun Wright-Phillips; a framed signed photograph of Chelsea player Hernan Crespo; two pairs of signed football boots from Blackburn Rovers players Jay Mecebeley and Paul Gallagher and a signed caricature of ex-Chelsea manager Claudio Ranieri.

Bids will also be taken for cricket shirts signed by Andrew Flintoff, Ian Botham, David Lloyd and David Gower along with a signed CD and tour T-shirt from Yes band member John Anderson.

Early bids can be phoned through to Ann Naisbitt on 07812801873.