BIDDERS at a charity auction can literally walk away with a new home, when a meticulously created dolls' house goes under the hammer.

It is not often a house can be bought complete with accessories, including working Tiffany light fittings, knives and forks and even a bottle of wine.

But this is not a normal home.

It was created by retired businessman Bill Gelson, of Durham, over three years. He began building the miniature home with his wife June, who died two years ago. But Bill, 69, continued working on what became a labour of love.

The house contains a bathroom, dinning room, living room, bedroom, kitchen, and in the attic he has built in a nursing and sewing room.

He said: "It was all quite fiddly to create, making little drawers and cupboards. The accessories that are there are meticulous in detail. The knives and forks are only quarter of an inch long."

Mr Gelson said although he has included one or two accessories, he hopes the successful bidder will add their own personal touches to the completed house.

"Part of the fun is being able to pick and choose how the finished house looks," he said.

Mr Gelson, of Framwellgate, created another dolls' house with June, which raised a four-figure sum for the Red Cross in 1999, after they were impressed with the service they got from the County Durham and Teesside branch's transport and escort service.

Volunteers took Mr Gelson's invalid mother from Durham to Chester-le-Street for their niece's wedding. When Mr Gelson's wife fell ill, the Red Cross again stepped in to take her to hospital at Newcastle every day. So again he has decided to repay the kindness by auctioning his latest dolls' house to raise funds for the charity.

It will be on display at the Ramside Hall Hotel Shopping Extravaganza event on Wednesday and Thursday.

For more details contact Bill Fox, of Durham and Teesside Red Cross on (01388) 604074.