The Telegraph & Argus Save Our City Appeal auction has been hailed a massive success after raising more than £6,000 towards the Bantams' fight for survival.

Bradford City fans packed into Valley Parade's banqueting suite last night as bidding got under way for more than 150 lots of memorabilia.

The event raised £6,520 from sales and admission fees.

Famous names from the city such as pop stars Gareth Gates, Kimberley Walsh and television presenter Richard Whiteley helped to ensure the event was a success by donating signed items.

The biggest bid was for a framed newspaper report of Bradford City's only FA Cup triumph - in 1911, over Newcastle United.

The copy of the Halifax Weekly Record had been donated by postman Alan Storey, who was bidding to keep his prized possession.

But he was out-bid by Bradford City's steering committee chairman Jim Brown, who paid £300 for the prized lot.

Mr Brown was unable to attend the event but the club's retail buyer, Suzanne Ljubojevic, acted as his agent.

Despite missing out, Mr Storey, of Undercliffe, said he was happy his donation was helping the club and he came away with a replica 1966 England shirt signed by World Cup winner Nobby Stiles.

Fans also got the chance to bid for a matchday programme from the 1966 World Cup final in which England beat West Germany 4-2.

Neil Woodhead, who works for Bakers and Lords Printers in Queensbury, was the successful bidder, paying £250.

He said: "I think if there had been collectors here this would have raised a lot more money but it is mainly City fans here who are more interested in Bradford items. It is in pristine condition. There can't be too many of these around."

To take part in the evening, compered by Pulse FM DJ Matt Cain, fans registered and were given a footballer's name under which to bid.

Richard Whiteley had donated a selection of his most colourful ties worn on Channel Four's Countdown, which will now be making appearances on the BBC after being snapped up by Look North weatherman and Bantams' fanatic Paul Hudson, for the princely sum of £17.

He joked: "I have worn some hideous ties in my time but these take the biscuit and as you can see they are very long in order to cover Richard Whiteley's girth! I will be wearing them very soon on Look North."

Mr Hudson paid tribute to City fans for making the auction a big success.

He said: "It has been fantastic; there have been some big bids going in and everyone seems quite up for it. There seems to be a really good atmosphere. Everyone is looking forward to next season. It feels like the club has turned the corner."

As well as football memorabilia there were also donations from world of art, music and television.

Pop star Gareth Gates donated a signed table football game while Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh gave the top she wore on the band's Jump video and a signed copy of their latest single.

Fans of Harry Potter and Coronation Street were also able to pick up exclusive signed memorabilia donated by young actors Matthew Lewis, who plays Neville Longbottom in the films, and Jack Shepherd, who plays David Platt.

Hannah Stainthorpe-Bedford, 23, of Birstall, came away with a surprise after discovering a photograph of her husband among the lots. She paid £45 for a picture of David Bedford during his time as groundsman at Valley Parade. The photograph was one of a selection of prints of City's Premiership years taken by photographer Ian Beesley.

T&A editor Perry Austin-Clarke thanked supporters for making the Save Our City Appeal a success.

He said: "The £250,000 we have raised with the Supporters Trust, JCT 600 and Bradford Council is a magnificent achievement and the single biggest total raised by supporters of their football club, which goes to show when it comes to giving, Bradfordians are the very best in Britain. I hope you have all captured a special item to help you remember the night you that you helped to save Bradford City."