PLEASING cheeses will have to take a back seat for a bunch of sports fans this weekend when they whey-up the possibility of raising £10,000 for farmers hit by foot-and-mouth.

The Norton Lindsey Stilton Sniffers are to team up with The Bear radio station to launch an auction of sporting memorabilia, live on Friday and Saturday.

Proceeds will be divided between the Warwickshire and Worcester Farmers Benevolent Funds and the Stratford Hospice.

Football shirts signed by Manchester United, Birmingham City and Walsall players, among others, will go under the hammer.

Other lots vary from directors' box tickets for a home match at Aston Villa, a cricket bat signed by the Warwickshire county side, to six bottles of champagne, and even a weekend break for two. The Bear is even offering the opportunity to read out its weather report.

Bids will be taken over the telephone.

For details call Peter Webber on 01926 842083.