A PIECE of hallowed Wembley turf goes under the hammer at an auction set to raise funds for a hospital's intensive care unit.

Complete with a certificate of authenticity, the turf is not the only possible Christmas gift up for grabs at the Friarage hospital.

Items such as two silk ties worn by Eamonn Holmes on GMTV, a T-shirt worn by Coronation Street's Natalie Barnes and CDs signed by Mel C and Status Quo are among the goodies.

Ian Botham has given a cricket bat, signed by the England team before they set off for their clash with Pakistan, and a signed copy of his book. He has also promised to donate a signed England shirt which will include top players from the team, when he returns from the tour.

His son Liam is currently getting team members from Newcastle Falcons to sign a rugby ball for the event.

Other sporting goods include items from Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers, Sunderland, Scarborough, Everton, York City and Huddersfield Town football clubs.

Mrs Helen Clough, ITU assistant at the Friarage, has been busy writing to individual celebrities and companies since the summer to compile a list of almost 75 gifts to auction.

"People have been incredibly kind and generous," she said "I cannot thank everyone enough, especially the local people."

Mrs Clough said money raised from the auction would help to buy more equipment for the unit when it is extended to provide both intensive care and high dependency care for patients.

The auction, which is hosted by auctioneer Mr Mike Darwin, starts at 7.30 in the nurses' recreation hall at the Friarage hospital next Friday, December 1.

People unable to attend the event can send a postal bid stating the item they require and a cheque made payable to ITU Charitable Funds. The address is ITU, Friarage Hospital, Northallerton, North Yorkshire, DL6 1JG. Unsuccessful bids will be returned.