A charity auction and dinner has kick started the next round of fundraising for the Admiral Nurse Campaign by raising £1,600.

More than 70 lots went under the hammer on Friday evening at All Saints Church Hall, in the first event of the year held by the Sid Valley Memory Café.

There was a bidding frenzy with people hoping to snatch up one of the many prizes.

Among the items on offer were fine dining experiences at local hotels and restaurants, trips in vintage vehicles, champagne, bottles of wine, paintings and a visit to Olympic eventing medallist Mary King’s stables.

The Reverend Robin Laird was the auctioneer on the night. He said: “It shows how much local people support the Admiral Nurse for the local area.

“Yet again people were prepared to put their hands in their pockets, or in this case wave their auction cards in the air, to support the Memory Café effort in this funding appeal.”

Duncan Watt, who is the chairman of the trustees, said it was an ‘incredibly good start’ to the campaign and thanked the businesses and individuals for their generous donations and bids.

He also thanked Paragon Books in Sidmouth for assisting ticket sales and Jill Hodges for providing a splendid supper.

The next event, being held in aid of the cause, will be a day trip to Highgrove on April 24.

The trip will be for a tour of the private gardens of Their Royal Highnesses - The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall.

The fundraiser has been organised by Julia Creeke, who herself is a former carer.

Julia looked after her mother, Eleanor, who lived with Alzhiemer’s for six years until her death in December 1995.

The trip costs £55 per person and includes coach travel, entrance and tea at Highgrove.

Visitors are required to bring photographic ID such as a passport or driving licence for entry.

The coach will depart from Manor Road car park at 8.30am, on Tuesday, April 24, and will aim to return by 8pm that same evening.

Seats are still available.

If you would like to book a place contact Julia on 01395 513962.