Horwich people are being asked to chip in to help the debt-ridden Duchess of York.

But it's all a joke.

Newsagent Alan Johnson raised a laugh when he launched an appeal fund in his shop.

After reading of Fergie's plight in the newspapers Alan - who was well known among his customers as a bit of a joker, put a box on the counter with the sign 'Duchess of York Appeal Fund, please give freely'. So far the fund has got off to a slow start with about 50p in total in the box, most in 1p or 2p pieces. "One old lady put in 2p but Alan gave her 1p change," said Alan's wife Joan who helps run the shop at Winter Hey Lane. "Of course its a huge joke, but it has certainly cheered people up."

Joan said people are used to Alan's sense of humour and he is always writing funny poems and sticking them in the window. Other suggestions that have been made to help the hapless Fergie, to pay of her reported debt of £3 million, are that she could hold a jumble sale to sell off her clothes or sell them to Horwich Help The Aged Shop. "Only worn once," added Joan. "But in all honesty if she can't live on the money she gets it's unbelievable."

Proceeds from the Fergie fund will go to the RSPCA.

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