STUDENTS plan to help a devastated city by raffling celebrity autographs.

More than 270 signatures, including a signed autobiography by Sir Bobby Robson and a Gosford Park film script signed by the writer Julian Fellowes, will be on offer at Framwellgate School, in Durham, on Thursday.

Raffle organiser Helen Morris and her sixth-form colleagues hope to raise more than £2,000 for the Goma Appeal to help the city in the Democratic Republic of Congo devastated by a volcanic eruption.

"We have signed photographs from most of the major Harry Potter cast, including Richard Harris, Robbie Coltrane and Maggie Smith," said Helen.

"Nick Park, who rarely grants autographs, signed a picture of Wallace and Grommit and we have comedians, such as John Cleese, Ali G and Stephen Fry, as well as people from the music industry, including Blue, Fat Boy Slim, Travis and Sting.

"Sports personalities include Sir Bobby Charlton, Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski and we have a huge number of actors including David Jason, Bob Hoskins, Anthony Stewart Head and Judi Dench."

"The tickets are 20p each. This is the cost of one person's clean water for a week so I thought it was appropriate," said Helen.

People can collect forms for tickets at the school reception and at two open evenings on Tuesday and Thursday between 4pm and 6pm.

The draw will be held during an entertainment evening at the school on July 8, which will include live music and a version of The Weakest Link with headteacher Joan Sjovoll as Anne Robinson and teachers as contestants.