CELEBRITY television auctioneer Caroline Hawley is inviting is people to “flog it” this weekend... all in a good cause.

The bubbly star of BBC’s Bargain Hunt is urging people to support a cash-strapped village church’s novel way to raise money for a major refurbishment.

She revealed an initial appeal by St Thomas’s Church, Delph, in October asking its congregation to donate gold, silver or costume jewellery to be auctioned brought amazing results.

Now, people are being encouraged to contribute their unwanted items by taking them to the church hall between 2pm and 4pm on Sunday, observing strict Covid restrictions.

And Caroline will make a separate solo visit later to study and evaluate the finds sometime before all the lots are auctioned online next month at easyLiveAuction.com. She is valuing the goods free of charge and without commission.

Caroline, who also helps front BBC’s Flog It!, said generous gifts from the church congregation and community have already raised some fascinating items.

She highlighted a few of the lots, saying: “These are just a few of the amazing lots that we have coming up for St Thomas’s church on February 20. People have been so very generous with their donations.

“There is a French beaded dress £100-£200, Victorian leather hatbox with top hats £150-£250 and Hermès silk scarf £80-£120.

“There are also a Chinese silk embroidered wall hanging £80-£120 and a Japanese Meiji period bronze figure of a musician £100-£200. There is also antique jewellery, watches and silver galore, ”she said.

The Rev John Rosedale, the Saddleworth team vicar, said in two years the stalwart 80-strong congregation raised more than £400,000 for major refurbishment works at the church, which is also a village community hub.

He said: “With increased costs we were £60,000 short of the new total and would not be able to pay.”