AN EASTENDERS legend is all set to to take control of an auction being held at Wright Marshall in Knutsford to raise money for donkeys.

June Brown, who has played Dot Cotton in the soap for more than 30 years, will join Nick Hall from Wright Marshall on the rostrum during a special auction being held to raise money for charity on Tuesday, November 4.

The auction, which will feature donkey-based lots from celebrities including Dame Judi Dench, Chris De Burgh, Paul O’Grady and Brian Blessed, is raising funds for the Flicka Foundation, based in Cornwall.

Mr Hall told the Guardian the auction came about after John Stirling, who ran Freshfields Donkey Village until September this year, had to close the charity due to his age.

The charity had operated for 28 years and helped thousands of special needs children and cared for more than 600 neglected and abused donkeys.

But the auction in Knutsford will be held to raise money for the Flicka Foundation, which will be the new home for Mr Stirling’s donkeys.

Nick said: “I was contacted by Mr Stirling and met up with him and decided to do this.

“There’s lifetime achievement awards from Dame Judi Dench and June Brown.

“June has a driver on standby so when she has finished her filming she will be driven up and then be selling the lots on the rostrum with me. But if the filming over runs she won’t be able to get up here. The auction will start at 6pm, and June is aiming to get here for 5pm.

“It’s part of our antique collectables on November 4 and 5 so it will generate more interest for them.”

Chris De Burgh’s lot comprises of twelve various bronzed, ceramic and other donkey sculptures that were given along the way on a charity walk he completed for the trust, together with a large-scale laminated photograph of the event.

Paul O’Grady’s lot consists of six various models and sculptures of donkeys in cute and amusing poses, an early 20th century Royal Vistas ware wall plate printed with an old black and white photographic scene of Blackpool Beach donkeys, an Ann Bushell signed limited edition print of Blackpool beach donkeys and two photographs of Blackpool Beach donkeys.

For more information about the auction, call Wright Marshalls on 01565 653284.