AUCTION lots ranging from a stay in a luxury villa to a dish of lasagne have gone ‘under the hammer’ at Great Malvern Priory.

TV star Martin Roberts was the auctioneer as the event raised almost £11,000 for a fundraising project at the church.

The presenter of the BBC’s Homes under the Hammer joined guests at the Priory on Saturday, November 19, for an auction quite unlike those featured on his TV show.

Malvern Gazette: Martin Roberts was auctioneer on the nightMartin Roberts was auctioneer on the night (Image: Great Malvern Priory)

Stays in holiday homes in Greece, Pembrokeshire and Worcestershire, a flight in a light aircraft, watercolour lessons and a trip around the Malverns in a vintage Daimler were all up for grabs.

One lot promised a trip to an orchid hospital for a sick orchid.

READ MORE: Malvern Priory launches appeal to repair medieval treasures

And such was the generosity on show, even a beef lasagne sold for £75.

Mary Rowswell, who helped organise the event, said it was a brilliant night.

“It was a very lively evening and people were really very generous,” she said.

Fundraising to level nave floor at Great Malvern Priory

“Martin Roberts was a superb auctioneer, he was very humorous and really encouraged people to dig deep.

“We are very grateful to the people at the Priory. And to everyone who donated auction items.”

The thousands raised on Saturday will be added to the £50,000 already donated towards levelling the floor of the nave in the Priory.

“It’s all on different levels at the moment and isn’t very safe,” said Mary.

Malvern Gazette: Guests were entertained by a string quartetGuests were entertained by a string quartet (Image: Great Malvern Priory)

“We’ve raised more than £60,000 in total but we want to install underfloor heating at the same time, because it’s more economic and better for the planet, so we’re going to need quite a lot of money. We’re getting it all priced up at the moment.”

The next fundraising event planned will see Rita Corke, wife of Great Malvern Priory vicar Rod Corke, going wingwalking in the New Year.

The Friends of Malvern Priory are also applying to the National Lottery Heritage Fund as part of efforts to save the church’s stained glass windows.

The medieval windows were included in a list of at-risk sites published by Heritage England.