A TV production company run by a former Bingley man is auctioning a speaking role in a children’s animation alongside Ronan Keating, Johnny Vegas and Sir Kenneth Branagh.

Shelltown Productions has offered a “considerable” part in the screen adaptation of Shelltown, a hit children’s book. The winner will attend rehearsals, voice a specially-created character, and receive two invitations to the VIP post-filming party.

They will also pocket two per cent of the production’s royalties – estimated at between £50,000 and £70,000 per year – for life.

Bernard Sparkes, co-director of Shelltown Productions, said the auction was a “chance in a lifetime” for non-actors.

He said: “The winner will not only receive a considerable part alongside high-profile stars, but will also be given a significant royalty-share scheme in Shelltown Productions.

“This is a groundbreaking auction and one that could change the life of the winner forever.”

The sale began on internet auction site Humraz earlier this month, and will end when every ticket has been sold. It will be the first time that a role has been sold to cover overheads, and could prompt other production companies to follow.

Mr Sparkes founded Shelltown in 1999 following the publication of his wife’s children’s books of the same name. Patricia Sparkes, 50, penned a string of tales about ‘Shelltown’ for her 14 children.

The Shelltown books proved such a success that the couple started Shelltown Productions and funded a pilot animation.

The 4.5-minute pilot was spotted by Boyzone star Ronan Keating, who agreed to lend his voice to the lead character and write and perform the theme tune. He also joined the company as a shareholder.

Mr Keating said: “As a family man with kids, when I saw Shelltown I thought it was fantastic.”

The couple, who now live in Ballymoney, Northern Ireland, are holding an online auction to raise the necessary funds to produce a series of 26 ten-minute episodes.

Profits will fund the show’s £2.5 million production costs, and benefit three charities: UNICEF, the National Autistic Society and the Marie Keating Foundation, set up in memory of Ronan Keating’s mum who died of breast cancer.

e-mail: marc.meneaud @telegraphandargus.co.uk