A SCHOOLBOY and his friends were treated to a VIP tour of Worcester Fire Station after scooping the trip in a charity auction.

Nathaniel Fuller and a number of friends got to sit in a fire engine, wear a firefighter's uniform and take a sneak peak behind the scenes at the station.

Nathaniel won the prize at an auction to raise funds for St Richard's Hospice, organised in memory of Howard Peters. Mr Peters died in October last year before he could complete a challenge to do 70 sports before his 70th birthday, to raise cash for the hospice.

Friends and family organised the auction at Perdiswell Leisure Centre, Worcester, back in February.

Other prizes that were snapped up included a tour of the House of Commons, courtesy of MP Mike Foster, Arsenal FC signed items and match tickets; all-inclusive memberships to local leisure centres; driving lessons; theatre tickets; a black Stratocaster guitar; and an eight-week course in cookery or wine appreciation.

The auction was conducted by Worcester News auctioneer Philip Serrell, who is well-known on BBC programmes Bargain Hunt and Flog It.