A BOLTON Wanderers fan is hoping to cash in on the post-Ashes cricket boom to fund a trip to watch his beloved team play in Bulgaria.

Unemployed Sean Stevens bought a stump from the Ashes series for £97 on auction website eBay.

But since England won the series, the value of the stump has soared to more than £1,000.

And Stevens, aged 18, from Enstone, Oxfordshire, says he will use the money to fund a trip to watch Wanderers play in Europe.

The stump was used during the first three days of the Trent Bridge test.

Mr Stevens said: "I had an inkling that England was going to win the Ashes so I thought I'd have a look at what was on eBay listed under Ashes," he said.

"I was amazed to see the stump there and decided to get in before anyone else and managed to get it for just £97."

When England won, Sean decided to cash in and contacted auction house Bonhams which will put the stump up for sale on November 2.

The auctioneers expect a flood of bids.

Dan Davies, Bonhams Sporting Consultant, said: "Given that this is the first Ashes we have won for 18 years this stump is an important historical artefact and could attract offers of at least £1,000 and possibly much more.

"We're expecting a lot of interest, the whole sport has really taken off after the Ashes."

The battered stump includes a letter of authentication from Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club.