A FLYING lesson and the chance to be a reporter at the Evening News were among the bids which helped raise more than £2,000 for a Worcester venue.

The Promises Auction which was held at Huntingdon Hall netted £2,104.

The money will go towards buying a new sound system for the hall, extending its seating and paying for big name bands - currently unaffordable.

Around 50 people turned up to bid for prizes such as a day at Cheltenham Racecourse and a scuba diving lesson.

Other promises included a chance to sit in the TV audience of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire and meet Chris Tarrant afterwards.

A flying lesson at Wellesbourne Aviation near Stratford proved to be the most popular bid - attracting £100.

The Evening News offered a budding reporter the chance to work in its Hylton Road office for the day and a tour of BBC Hereford & Worcester's radio station was also up for auction.

"We had a fantastic night," said Chris Jaeger, director of Huntingdon Hall.

"The auctioneer from Andrew Grant gave his time for free."