A familiar face on daytime television has been praised for hosting an "incredible" auction, raising vital funds for homeless people in Dorset.
TV presenter James Braxton, who has appeared on BBC's Antiques Road Trip, and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is, visited the Duchess of Cornwall Inn in Dorchester to run a charity auction.
The event include a two-course meal, a free drink and the auction itself.
All money raised was for the Lantern Trust, which helps vulnerable and marginalised people in the Weymouth and Portland area.
The event was held in conjunction with the venue's arts and crafts summer fair which also welcomed TV personality Dan Sandham of The Great Pottery Throwdown fame.
Just under £3,000 was raised from the event and Mike Graham, CEO of the Lantern Trust, has said he is delighted as this will make a significant impact on homeless people in the area.
He said: “We raised just under £3,000. To put that into real life terms, that can be a deposit for up to six people so they can move into new accommodation as landlords often require a deposit of around £500.
“We’re celebrating the fact that the donations we raise directly go to frontline services."
Mr Graham added: “It was lovely to see so many people past and present interested and passionate about the Lantern Trust’s work and it’s nice to feel so supported by the community."
Items up for auction included holiday breaks and original art donated by local artists. There was high praise for James Braxton who led the auction in a jovial and engaging manner.
He also brought copies of his new book, Barty - A Tale of a Stolen Bronze, to sign.
The success of the event means that the charity is looking to make these auctions a yearly event.
Mr Graham added: “James was incredible. He ran the auction in such a fun way and was really passionate about the Lantern’s work. He knew how to engage the whole room and really understood what it is we are trying to achieve.
“It’s definitely going to be a yearly event now and we're hoping to get more celebrity auctioneers onboard.
“Thank you to everyone; to the Duchess of Cornwall Inn, to David Kingsman for helping to plan the event, to all the local artists who gave in pieces for free and to everyone attended."
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