AN On-line auction of promises is being held in aid of the Countryside Alliance for the first time in a bid to break the mould of past fund-raising efforts.

The auction, run by the Internet Auctioneers www.ibrax.com, starts on October 18 and will conclude at midnight when Host the Roast - the CA's national dinner party - will be in full swing.

Richard Burge, chief executive of the CA, said the auction was only "limited by an individual's imagination", and boasted "global potential".

Supporters have already been donating promises to go under the hammer, for items as diverse as the composition of a song in honour of the bidder on a subject of their choice.

Hunting holidays in Ireland and the West Country will also be on offer, as well as shooting opportunities in Norfolk, Sussex, Oxfordshire and Cumbria.

Other people can contribute to the event by donating a promise to the auction, bidding or entering a competition to guess the total amount raised by the auction.

They can also sponsor one of the auction categories, which include hunting, shooting, fishing, memorabilia, holidays, art and clothing.