A STRING of auction lots donated by celebrities have been secured for the Evening News-backed Acorns Summer Ball.

Items up for grabs include a cricket shirt signed by Worcestershire County Cricket Club batsman Graeme Hick .

Radio 4 commentator Henry Blofeld has donated his autobiography, A Thirst for Life and a second book, Cricket and All That, an Irreverent History.

And TV gardener Charlie Dimmock has donated a huge wooden mushroom, shaped like a stool, which was hand-made for her.

The items will be auctioned at the ball, backed by the Evening News and supported by Worcester Rugby Club, to help the charity towards its £4m fund-raising goal.

"The Evening News is proud and pleased to be able to link up with Worcester Rugby Club in staging the summer ball," said Evening News editor Stewart Gilbert.

"It's going to be a wonderful evening and hopefully it will raise a huge amount for Acorns.

Support

"It's such a worthwhile cause and we are urging people to come along and support the charity."

Revellers at the ball, on Saturday, July 27, can look forward to a three-course meal, auction, live band and disco.

Cash raised at the black-tie event will allow building work to start on the charity's new Bath Road unit.

The event will feature a round-up of the fund-raising campaign so far, including pictures of the proposed new unit and an update on the total amount of cash raised.

Acorns launched its Three Counties Appeal on Monday, April 1 and donations of more than £90,000 have flooded in since then.

The cash is needed to build and equip the £4m hospice for children with life-limiting conditions.

Tickets for the event, priced £35, are available from Kathy Leather at the rugby club on 01905 454183.