A RARE signed Paul McCartney picture has been sold in a silent auction to raise funds for a terminally-ill Bacup youngster.

Campaign patron Ted Robbins, star of TV's Phoenix Nights, called on his cousin, the former Beatles rocker, to help six-year-old Jack Heath, who has incurable Hunter's Syndrome. The picture, authenticated by auction house Christie's, was sold for an undisclosed amount to a Rossendale man who made the highest bid at Oscars Fine Art, in Bank Street, Rawtenstall.

Proprietor Chris Bridgewater said: "We would have liked for it to have been sold for a little bit more than it was but if it helps to buy little Jack something nice then it's all been worth it.

"He was going to come to the shop when it was being handed over to the buyer, who wants to remain anonymous.

"But Jack has been feeling poorly so we phoned his parents to see if they would accept the bid and they were happy with it."

The people of Rossendale have rallied around to support the Jack Heath non-charitable trust and have so far collected more than £18,000.

The money is being used to buy equipment to help Holy Trinity Primary School pupil Jack and his family move into a specially-adapted home after plans to make their Peel Drive home suitable proved unfeasible.