AN auction to boost a £155,000 fundraising campaign to build new headquarters for scouts and guides takes place in Staindrop.

The Staindrop Scouts and Guides are raising the money to replace the ageing hut where they currently meet, which has fallen into a state of disrepair and has inadequate facilities.

Bids are currently being taken on an online auction of promises, offering various goods and services for sale to raise money for the cause, and the auction itself will take place during an evening of entertainment at Staindrop Primary School, on Saturday, March 8.

The event starts at 7.30pm and includes live music from singer songwriter Anna Stainton, from Barnard Castle, and Unplugged – three of whom are former Staindrop scouts.

There will be a licensed bar, provided the by Scarth Hall, in the village, and the auction of promises starts at 9pm, when the online bidding closes.

An auctioneer from Addison's, in Barnard Castle, will be calling the lots.

Tickets cost £2 in advance or £3 on the door.

They are available from the primary school or from scout leaders in the village.

Guests should bring their own supper.

A fundraising family fun day which was also due to take place at the school that day has been rearranged for May due to the threat of bad weather.

Meanwhile, the village’s county councillors George Richardson and James Rowlandson have each pledged £5,000 from their respective neighbourhood budgets towards the cause.

To place bids in the online auction, or to donate items for sale, visit auctionofpromises.com/2014AuctionForStaindropScoutAndGuideHQ.