Weatherman Paul Hudson will be urging Bradford City fans to bid for success when he puts in a guest appearance at the Telegraph & Argus fundraising auction.

The BBC presenter and life-long Bantams fan has donated the first- ever City shirt to bear the name of Italian star Benito Carbone for the appeal.

And he has now agreed to put in a special guest appearance at the event to oversee the bids for his prized possession.

The auction takes place at Valley Parade on Friday, July 2, at 7.30pm and is the latest fundraiser in the T&A's campaign to save Bradford City from extinction.

Paul, who first started going to Valley Parade more than 20 years ago, told the T&A it would be a disaster if the club was allowed to go out of business.

He said: "I never thought I would see the club in this sort of mess. When I first started going, the club had just been rescued from going bust and to see it all happening again I just cannot believe it. My highlight as a fan would have to be City getting promoted to the Premiership against Wolves - that is something I never thought I would see."

His Benito Carbone shirt was the first replica shirt to have the Italian star's name on the back and was worn by Paul for a BBC broadcast after the signing was announced in the summer of 2000.

Until now it has had pride of place in Paul's office but he will be auctioning it off in person at Valley Parade.

Steve Jordan, of auctioneers firm De Romes, has agreed to oversee proceedings with a little help from the television presenter. Paul said: "I love doing this sort of thing. I have done a few auctions before. I get a real buzz from it and I am looking forward to auctioning off the shirt and a few other City items.

The auction has also received the backing of BBC Look North's presenters Harry Gration and Christa Ackroyd and Paul will be bringing along a box of BBC goodies on the night. Anyone who would like to donate an item for the auction should contact Richard Woodward on 01274 705395 at the T&A newsdesk.