AN investigation has been launched after bidding on a piece of the Ewood Park turf hit the £1million mark on eBay.

Bosses at the auction website said that, while the offers were suspicious, bids were still being accepted on the auction, which has six days to go.

Eddie Maxwell is auctioning the spot from Blackburn Rovers’ pitch where Wayne Rooney secured Manchester United’s record 19th title with a penalty.

Today bidding had reached more than £1million and the lot had been viewed 54,000 times.

While the offers went suspiciously into overdrive during this afternoon, it appeared there had earlier been genuine bids of up to £200,000 from sporting memorabilla firms.

Mr Maxwell said that, even if the bids were not genuine, the level of interest had been such that he was sure to sell it for a large amount.

The Ewood Park pitch is being resurfaced this summer and Mr Maxwell was given permission to take the turf by a contact in the groundsman's department.

He is bidding to raise funds for his Sunday league side King Edward FC, based in Guide.

But he vowed to hand the majority of the cash back to his beloved Blackburn Rovers to use in their charity work if he 'makes a fortune'.

The item was first featured in the Lancashire Telegraph on Monday but has since been followed up by national media and even globally with a story in the New York Times.

Mr Maxwell, who lives in Lower Darwen, said: “Everything that has happened this week has been incredible. I'm overwhelmed.

“I know that many of the bids are genuine but the way the bidding went up can't be legitimate.

“There is worldwide interest in the penalty spot because of the Wayne Rooney connection.

"I would like to give Blackburn Rovers massive thanks and, whatever I make, a lot of it will go back to the club.”