AS charity auctions go, a home-made coffin is surely the most unique lot ever offered to bidders.

Peter Watkins, from Bromsberrow Heath, near Malvern, commissioned a friend to build the coffin after looking into the cheapest possible way of being buried.

The 75-year-old firmly believes that the cost of funerals is too high and would prefer friends to enjoy his worldly goods when he goes.

Mr Watkins wants his funeral done as cost-effectively as possible, so his family is not left facing a financial struggle.

His research initially led him to believe a home-made coffin, costing just £80, was the best way forward but has now come up with a cheaper way.

He has discovered that as a landowner he can be buried in his own garden at a cost of just £12 for an Amy surplus body bag.

So he is currently organising plans to auction the coffin to raise money for the Raven Centre, a drop-in centre for the elderly and disabled in Gloucester.

"They could wrap me in a sheet and bury me for all I care," he said. "I don't want a funeral service, I'd much rather all my friends and family had a party with the money instead."

Mr Watkins believes others should be more aware of the money that can be saved by making their funeral arrangements while they are still alive.

"The average cost of a funeral nowadays is near to £3,000 and I can't understand how people can charge that amount of money," he said.

"People should get their house in order while they're alive and then no one would be left with the bills after they've gone."

Mr Watkins said his plans had been met with approval: "My family all think it's marvellous, and several complete strangers have already told me they're going to follow suit."