Put your bid in now to attend the St Giles Hospice Spring Luncheon before the hammer comes down on the final places at the charity event of the season.

The luncheon at Drayton Manor Park will raise funds for the hospice, which cares for local people living with cancer and other serious illnesses.

This year the event will feature a fascinating talk by auctioneer and antiques expert Charles Hanson MRICS and guests can bring along items for his expert valuation.

Charles Hanson makes regular appearances on BBC’s Bargain Hunt. One of the youngest antiques experts, Charles was born and brought up in Derbyshire and began his career giving tours in National Trust properties before specialising in fine art and valuation at Christies in London.

The luncheon will be held at The Tower Suite, Drayton Manor Park on Sunday 4th March, with valuations from noon and a traditional Sunday lunch from 1pm.

Tickets cost £25, with proceeds to St Giles Hospice. Anyone wishing to book places should contact Laura Pennycuick on 01543 432538.

St Giles Hospice is one of the best-known and most respected charities in the region, offering high-quality nursing and medical care for people with cancer and other serious illness, as well as providing support for their families and carers.

Patients come from across the hospice’s catchment area, which ranges from Ashby de la Zouch in the east, to Cannock and Walsall in the west – and from Burtonand Uttoxeter in the north, to Sutton Coldfield and Coleshill in the south.

Care is offered either at the hospice in Whittington, near Lichfield, or in patients’ own homes across the region.

St Giles spends over £5million every year providing its specialist services. With just a third of this funded by the Government, the registered charity relies heavily on donations and fundraising.