Dereham town clerk Tony Needham will find himselftrading places with a traditional blacksmith this summer after successfully bidding for a day at the anvil in the Fransham forge.

Dereham town clerk Tony Needham will find himself

trading places with a traditional blacksmith this summer after successfully bidding for a day at the anvil in the Fransham forge.

Mr Needham was a successful bidder at the mayor of Dereham's auction of promises in the town's Memorial Hall on Saturday.

He paid �135 to spend a day working alongside blacksmith Nigel Barnett and taking home what he produces at the anvil.

'I have always fancied having a go working in a forge and I was pleased that my bid was successful and that the event raised cash for the two charities while also raising their profile,' he said.

A total of �3,852 was raised at the evening, which was attended by

115 people and included food and entertainment.

The highest bid was �170 for a head sculpture, with tickets for a match day at Carrow Road next season and a meal going for �140.

Mayor Ann Bowyer's 'lot' of a meal and wine for four cooked by herself in her own kitchen went for �85.

Town council staff member Dawn Brightman helped organise the event on behalf of the mayor with Donna Minto. Entertainment was provided free by Polaris, a band managed by town councillor Robin Goreman, with songs by local singer Keeley Rayner, who also agreed to sing at a private event for a bid of �160.

'We want to thank everyone who contributed towards the success

of the evening, including Bryan Chilmaid, auctioneer Chris Nash and his assistant, Eddie Howard, Robin Goreham, Keeley Rayner and magician Bob Hammond,'

said Mrs Brightman.

Proceeds will be divided between the Dereham-based Brian Cross Memorial Trust and the Norwich and District Diabetics Youth Group.