THE Duchess of Northumberland has given people a timely invitation to help a fundraising appeal during the Queen's Golden Jubilee celebrations.

As patron of the North-East Community Golden Jubilee Charity Appeal, she wound up a £1,500 Chanel watch, which will be the first prize in the charity's competition.

People have to guess the exact time that will be on the watch when it is taken out of a safe at a secret Newcastle location on July 24.

A Chanel J12 watch, identical to the prize locked away by security firm Lewis Security, is on display at Richard Sinton Jewellers in Eldon Garden, Newcastle.

In this Stop the Watch competition, the person with the exact second, or the nearest previous second, will win the watch.

Seconds can be bought, at 20p each, every Saturday, from a stall in Eldon Garden, manned by charity workers.

After winding the watch, the duchess said: "It is a wonderful way to celebrate how generous Northerners can be in helping others less fortunate during this special year."

For more information about the appeal, which aims to raise £250,000 for six North-East charities, contact Stanley Lions Club Trust Fund on (01207) 233958 or 0191-204 4260.

The charities to benefit are The Children's Foundation, St Oswald's Hospice, Alzheimer's Society, HEADS North, Make a Wish Foundation and the North of England Cadet Force Trust Appeal.