Signed football shirts from Newcastle and Sunderland are being raffled by Chester-le-Street Town Ladies FC as they look to raise money for a new mini-bus.

The club have five teams and play games across the country but the cost of travel to away matches is expensive and costs the Cestrians dearly.

Over £3,000, which is a huge amount of money for an amateur club, each season is needed to cover mini-bus hire to take the teams to matches away from home which are played as far away as Hull, Chester and Manchester so the club have decided that money would be better spent by being put towards their own transport.

The Magpies shirt carries the signatures of Alan Shearer, manager Bobby Robson and former striker Roy Bentley who played for St James Park club in the 1940s while the Sunderland shirt is also signed.

Peter Reid and the Sunderland squad have all signed the Black Cats jersey while also available in the raffle are framed collage of players from each club which are also signed.

The framed and glazed Newcastle collage feature autographs and photographs of the likes of legends Jackie Milburn, George Robledo and Frank Brennon while the Sunderland collage features Brian Clough, Charlie Hurley and Trevor Ford.

Club secretary Bill Godward has donated the memorabilia but says he doesn't find it as difficult to part with the items as supporters of each side would.

"I collect football memorabilia and pick up items like this at auctions," explained Bill who is in his 31st in women's football and doubles as director of coaching with the Cestrians.

"I'm a Nottingham man living in the North-East I don't have a particular affinity with either Newcastle or Sunderland so it's not particular hard for me to part with them!

"It's just another way of helping the girls raise money for the football club.

"For example, the first team travel to Chester at the weekend and all the trips we have to make over the season add up. We have to find around £3,000 to £3,800 each season."

Unfortunately, Chester-le-Street, who also run teams at Under-11, Under-13 and Under-14 level as well as a reserve side, are in danger of being relegated after losing 3-0 to Stockport at the weekend.

They currently compete in the Northern Combination League which is the third highest in the country.

There is still plenty of time for people to buy tickets as the draw won't take place until September.

* To buy tickets for the raffle, which are five for a £1, phone Bill on (0191) 491 4823 for more details.