A TOP flight bird helped raise more than £6,000 for charity at a pigeon auction.

The bird was donated from the Queen's own loft to help pigeon fanciers boost an appeal for cash for cancer charities.

The bird travelled in style from Sandringham to Haslingden Cricket Club where it was one of 87 lots from all over the country.

Brian Tattersall, of Oswaldtwistle, one of the organisers and president of the North West Region of the Royal Pigeon Racing Association, said: the club pulled off the coup after contacting the Royal Lofts.

He added: "We chose cancer charities because three pigeon fanciers from the North West have died recently from cancer."

Pictured is one of the organisers John Dearden with the royal bird