A PRIZED collection of teddy bears is set to go under the hammer in Malvern to raise cash for a fund set up in memory of two victims of the Asian tsunami disaster.

John and Annie Hofton, of Wichenford, near Worcester, were holidaying in Khao Lak, Thailand, when the tsunami struck on Boxing Day and have not been heard from since.

Philip Laney Auctioneers, in Malvern's Portland Road, received the anonymous donation of the 60 teddy bears last month, the donor asking that they be sold in aid of the John and Annie Hofton Memorial Fund.

They will go under the hammer in a general auction at 11am on Tuesday, May 17.

The collection of 60 cuddly bears, which date from the early 20th Century to a couple of years ago, are expected to fetch up to something like £1,500 collectively.

They are among a total of about 450 lots going under the hammer, with other items including a Vauxhall Corsa car, china, glass, clocks and pictures. Owner Philip Laney said that he thought the donation of the teddies was a really kind gesture, with the money being used by the fund to help set up an orphanage in Thailand.

Mrs Hofton owned women's fashion shop Tizzie's in Malvern's Belle Vue Terrace, while her 62-year-old husband was a sales manager.

More than 450 guests attended a memorial service for the couple at Malvern Priory in February.

"The people who donated the teddies just wanted the money to go to the fund which is really nice," said Mr Laney. "They were a well-liked couple as they worked in the town and they were well known."

Viewing for the auction will be on Monday, May 16 between 9.30am and 4.30pm.