A football fan whose life was saved by major heart surgery is raffling off a shirt signed by his soccer heroes in aid of the British Heart Foundation.

Gordon Tinsley, of Baildon, was thrilled when he was given a glass framed Leeds United shirt signed by stars such as Robbie Fowler, Rio Ferdinand, Harry Kewell and Lee Bowyer.

But he has now decided to part with the treasured souvenir and offer it up as a raffle prize in a bid to raise hundreds of pounds for the heart charity as a 'thank you' for his life-saving treatment.

Retired decorator Mr Tinsley, 57, said: "Seven years ago they found out one of my arteries was blocked.

"The other two were furring up so I had to have a triple heart bypass operation which basically saved my life.

"Before I had the operation it was horrendous - I could hardly walk anywhere or do anything.

"Since having the triple bypass at Leeds General Infirmary I've felt a heck of a lot better and much fitter.''

Mr Tinsley, who has five grandchildren, said there had been such an improvement in his quality of life that he was now able to pursue his hobby of training and working gun dogs and regularly helped run the Ripley Castle Shoot.

He added: "I'm a big Leeds United fan so it will be a big wrench to lose the shirt, but I wanted to put something back as a thank you for my treatment and thought this would be a good way of doing it.

"I've already been offered £300 for the shirt and hope the raffle will raise even more than that.''

Tickets for the raffle, priced £1 per strip of five, are on sale at the Malt Shovel pub on Northgate, Baildon, with the draw set to take place there at half-time during a special FA Cup final party on Saturday, May 4.

Meanwhile villagers are being offered the chance to enjoy dishes such as pigeon, rabbit and venison during a game evening at the pub on Monday.

With the meat provided by Mr Tinsley and his friends the evening is free although diners will be asked to make a donation with proceeds split between the British Heart Foundation and the pub's annual seaside outing for villagers.