FANS of the late Buzzcocks guitarist Pete Shelley have raised money for his memorial campaign by auctioning off one of his signed guitars.

Lifelong admirer Martin Gevaux secured the instrument for £1,051, which will go towards a permanent memorial to Shelley in Leigh, his hometown.

Campaigners have raised £18,000 towards their goal to date and have already secured a blue plaque in the musician's name outside his former home in Landside.

Shelley died at his home in Estonia aged 63 and diehard fans have staged a series of events to ensure Leigh remembers one of their most famous sons.

Martin, 58, from Kent, after winning the auction, said: "Having been a Buzzcocks fan since 1978 and been lucky enough to meet the band in 2016 it was a chance not only to obtain a fabulous piece of music memorabilia connected to my favourite band but also a chance to contribute to an important memorial fund for someone who had a huge influence on my life."

The signed guitar had been donated to the campaign by Ray Dobson, in honour of his late brother, Stephen Dobson, who was an ardent Buzzcocks aficionado.

The campaign has enlisted the services of famed designer Malcolm Garrett as part of their memorial push, which has the backing of the star's estate.