NURSES are hoping to raise hundreds of pounds for their patients with an auction of sporting and showbusiness memorabilia.

Staff on J2 ward at the Royal Bolton Hospital want to see lots of people turning up to make a bid at the event.

All the money raised at the mock auction will go towards helping improve the quality of life for men who are suffering from Alzeimer's disease and other illnesses.

Nurses and relatives have already collected £6,000 over the past 12 months, which will help pay for trips for the patients and improve the look and the facilities on the ward.

Among the items up for grabs are:

Manchester United goodies.

Tickets to watch a Wanderers game.

A signed Lancashire Cricket Club bat.

An original Coronation Street script.

A signed and framed Manchester City shirt.

Carol Evans, a health care assistant and fund raiser for the J2 ward, said: "Many of our patients are here for a long time and so this is more than a ward, it's a home as well.

"We have been spending the past 12 months making the ward nicer and we really enjoy what we are doing."

Other items on offer at the auction are a Playstation, children's cycle, scooter, family tickets to watch the Manchester Giants and Manchester Storm and a free meal at a restaurant.

The event takes place at the Belmont Day Centre, at the Royal Bolton Hospital, tomorrow. Viewing starts at 1pm, followed by the auction at 2pm.