THREE businessmen became the centre of attention at a fundraising auction when they monopolised the bidding to boost the cash total.

They virtually cleaned up and spent about £3,000 at the event to help Bolton's young entrepreneurs.

Surprised guests at the Bolton Young Entrepreneur Programme 1998 fundraising evening watched as friends Clive Taylor, Joe Cooke and Terry Carlos kept the bids flowing for a series of items.

Mr Taylor's star purchase was a bottle of House of Commons champagne signed by former Prime Minister John Major (£500).

Mr Cooke's prize asset is a signed Wanderers shirt (£450).

Mr Taylor said: "We just got into the spirit of things and enjoyed ourselves. Maybe we got a bit carried away but it was all in a good cause."

Mr Taylor believes his generosity could pay dividends in future. "I reckon the signed champagne could well rise in value as time goes by," he said, although he may donate the bottle to another charity auction.

The Bolton Young Entrepreneur Programme 1998 was sparked off by John Musso of the Village Oil Works complex and developed with Bolton Council's economic and physical development unit, Business Link Bolton and Bury and the Bolton Evening News.

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