ELECTRO pop duo Erasure took time out from their world tour to support the Tilly Lockey appeal.

One year-old Tilly, from Consett, County Durham, survived meningitis, but tragically lost both her hands as a result of the disease.

Tilly's parents Sarah and Adam hit on the idea of collecting hand prints from celebrities so they can be auctioned to pay for the prosthetic hands she now needs.

They can cost up to £20,000 for a pair, and Tilly will need two or three pairs a year, depending on how fast she grows.

Tilly's mother contacted Erasure, as a fan of the band, to see if they would support the appeal after hearing they were playing a date at Newcastle's Carling Academy.

Frontman Andy Bell and songwriter Vince Clarke agreed to help and had prints of their hands made in clay before the gig. They will now be mounted and framed by photography and casting studio Photography For Little People, which is sponsoring the impressions for the appeal.

An auction of the prints is expected to take place later this year.

For more details about the appeal go to www.tillylockey.co.uk