THE North-East's biggest Newcastle United fan might want to bid for a souvenir of club hero Alan Shearer - provided he has got the biggest wall in the North-East to hang it on.

A 62ft cartoon of the ex-England centre forward, drawn by artist Paul Slattery, from Birtley, County Durham, shot into the record books two years ago for being the world's largest caricature.

The larger-than-life drawing has been gathering more than its fair share of dust at Mr Slattery's home since its unveiling at Newcastle's Tyne Bridge, in 1999.

But the artist thinks it is time Shearer was transferred.

He said: "I have kept the caricature, but it takes up an amazing amount of space. It will be a wrench to part with it, but I'm hoping it will end up at a good home."

Mr Slattery hopes selling the caricature will help a good cause, after he promised to give part of the cash to the Make a Wish charity, which makes dreams come true for children with life-threatening illnesses.

Mr Slattery said: "I originally drew it to raise funds for the NSPCC, and hope that selling it will now help another worthwhile cause.

"I'm sure there will be a lot of interest, but whoever gets it will need a lot of space to display it."

He is taking bids by e-mail and anyone interested can contact him at infosed to underpin the financial st