BROKEN necklaces, odd earrings and unwanted bracelets are being given a new lease of life and turned into unique pieces of jewellery to raise money for Bury Hospice.

The old jewellery donated by members of the public is being melted down and reshaped into exquisite pieces to be sold at a grand charity auction next March as part of the ongoing Penguin Project launched earlier this year.

The Soroptimist International clubs of Bury and Ramsbottom came up with the unusual project during a brainstorming session on how to raise money for the hospice. With the skill of sculptor Elsie McGill, a flock of carefully handcrafted penguins in a variety of sizes has been created and is slowly taking over the borough adopted by individuals as well as sponsored by businesses.

Since then, a number of penguin-themed fundraising events are being held throughout the year culminating in the auction where the jewellery is expected to sell well.

The work is being carried out by jeweller Nick Potts and his team of students at Bury Arts and Craft Centre, based in Broad Street.

Nick (56), from Walmersley, has been a jeweller since he was 18 and has been teaching the delicate craft for 13 years. He became involved with the hospice through the annual Woman of the Year when he was asked to create the pin badge presented to the winner and was the natural choice to oversee the jewellery for the auction.

Nick said: "I have always done it and each piece is never the same, You can always improve on the last piece."

The delicate craft involves melting down the materials before fashioning it into shape. One piece can take three to four weeks for the students to complete.

The soroptimist clubs are still appealing for unwanted jewellery or other items which can be auctioned off in March, to be taken to the hospice fundraising office.

Sue Waddington, from Bury Soroptomists, said: "We are going to auction items for everybody, right through the smaller items at £2 up to bigger pieces which we hope will bring in some good money.

"We have 50 items already and are approaching people with roots in Bury. We have items from Victoria Wood, chef Simon Hopkinson and a signed book from Cherie Blair, who was born in Bury and has supported us over the years."

Anyone or business wanting to adopt a penguin, ranging from pocket size to one-metre high and which can be customised with a company logo, can contact the hospice fundraising office for information on 0161 797 1748.