RADIO presenter Sue Sweeney will bring the hammer down on an auction next week to help pupils on a scientific trip of a lifetime.

The 24 students from Framwellgate School, in Durham, are going to Egypt on a conservation trip in July.

They have raised £31,000 of the £40,000 they need for the trip, and have organised an auction on Thursday, March 30, at 7:30pm in the school hall, to try to reach the total.

Among the items for auction are a signed Newcastle United shirt, a 14in colour television, two miniature cricket bats signed by Freddie Flintoff, a signed Newcastle Falcons shirt and a signed copy of the Len Shackleton book The Return of the Clown Prince.

Tickets are £1.50 at the door or £1 in advance. For tickets or information, ring 0191-384 5344.