A SELF-STYLED "Duke" will be giving Acorns Children's Hospice the spotlight on television this Christmas to help it find "Bobby Dazzlers" of its own.

A special edition of Bargain Hunt is being screened on Christmas Day to raise money for the Three Counties Appeal.

Antiques expert and auctioneer, Philip Serrell, who lives and works in Worcester, has teamed up with fellow auctioneer, Kate Alcock, in the red team.

They will be up against experts David Barby and Michael Hogben in the blue team.

Regular Bargain Hunt presenter, David Dickinson, will be overseeing the efforts of the two teams as they choose their items to be auctioned.

The profit from these items, if any, will then be donated to the teams' chosen charities.

"Being a local person, I am totally behind the Three Counties Appeal as the new hospice will be there to support local children and their families," said Mr Serrell.

"Several years ago, I did a charity auction for the Acorns hospice in Selly Oak, Birmingham, and it struck me that most of the people there were parents who had lost their children.

"It was very moving, and I want to do whatever I can to support this really worthwhile project and help get the new hospice built as soon as possible."

Acorns fund-raisers hope people tune in to find out how much money is raised through the auction.

"This is such a fantastic opportunity for us to highlight our appeal on prime time TV," said Fran Winterbourn, Acorns community fund-raising co-ordinator.

"We are very grateful to Philip and the Bargain Hunt team for supporting us in this way and bringing the Three Counties Appeal to the attention of so many people.

"We'll be keeping our fingers crossed that the red team win on Christmas Day."

To catch Bargain Hunt in action for Acorns, tune in to BBC One at 3.40pm on Christmas Day.