CHARITY auctioneer Ivor Cooper showed his sense of humour at a fundraiser for needy children...by selling a polite rejection letter from pop superstar Cliff Richard for the princely sum of fifty pence.

Worshippers in the parish of Christ Church, Accrington, raised more than £1,000 for children during an auction which featured gifts from the Queen Mother and rock star Phil Collins.

But the last laugh was reserved for the final item, a letter from the Peter Pan of Pop's management team, which supported the event, but stated that Sir Cliff could not provide anything on this occasion.

When the bidding started Mr Cooper told the gathering: "'Well Sir Cliff couldn't help us out today but he's kindly sent us a letter - will anyone give me 50p for it?"

And it was an offer that Peter Smith couldn't resist. He stumped up the cash and proudly pocketed the prized letter.

And his sense of fun has been commended by the evergreen popster's management team.

Mr Bill Latham, who looks after Sir Cliff's charitable affairs, told the Citizen: "It's great to see that the auctioneer had a sense of fun and we're delighted that the initiative helped to raise a little something extra for charity."

The letter stated Sir Cliff supported Christ Church in its fundraising but because of regular pressure on a small stock of items kept for auctions and raffles, he could not provide anything on this occasion. The letter was signed by management team member Gill Snow.

The most popular items at the auction were the Queen Mother's vase, which went for £50, Burnley goalkeeper Marlon Beresford's gloves at £20, and the Phil Collins CDs for £25 each. Altogether £1, 000 was raised at the summer fair and auction.

And a delighted Mr Smith said: "It's a very nice letter. Really it displays Sir Cliff's interest and support. The idea to auction the letter was for a bit of fun. I like to smile a lot and I knew that by putting my hand in my pocket the children would benefit, and that's what the auction was all about.

"I was supporting a charity and it was lovely for the children."

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