A MANCHESTER United football shirt signed by David Beckham is among the items up for grabs in an auction to aid a Worcester youngster.

Hundreds of items of sporting memorabilia will be auctioned next month at Worcester Rugby Club.

As well as the signed Manchester United kit, South African rugby star Francois Pienaar's shirt has been donated, as has the outfit worn by former England rugby international Dusty Hare.

A signed-framed picture of heavyweight boxer Lennox Lewis is also due to go under the hammer.

Nine-year-old Jordan Powell, of Lear Close in Dines Green, Worcester, is a fervent supporter of the rugby club.

Members intend to raise funds for a specially-commissioned "mobility tricycle" - painted in the blue and gold colours of Worcester Rugby Club - for Jordan, who has cerebral palsy and needs a "walker" or wheelchair to move.

"Jordan's been a supporter for four years and last year he was the club mascot at a game against Rotherham," said his father Don.

"The trike is going to cost nearly £800. We're delighted at how well the appeal is going."

Nicola Goodwin, the club's Press officer, said the charity drive had attracted "hundreds" of responses from people wanting to offer goods or put in bids ahead of the event.

"More prizes are arriving daily," she said.

"We're becoming inundated."

Among the other sporting items that collectors can get their hands on are footballs signed by Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Worcester City football teams, as well as former England goalkeeper Gordon Banks.

Rugby balls have been sent in by the All Blacks, Will Carling, and Worcester RFC, and cricket bats featuring the signatures of the England squad and Worcestershire players will also be sold.

The auction will be held on Saturday, December 18, at the Sixways rugby ground, Warndon.

Bidding will start at 8pm. Anyone wanting more information about the Grand Charity Sport Auction can call Denis Maughan on 01905 454183.