A CELEBRITY auctioneer known for his appearances on hit TV shows Bargain Hunt and Flog It will be the host of the Herd in the City auction.

Charles Hanson will have his gavel at the ready on September 26 to host the auction where fans will be able to bid to be a proud owner of one of the large elephant sculptures.

The grand finale of the art trail, which stomped across Southend for seven weeks this summer, will take place at Saxon Hall, on September 26.

The event – backed by the Echo – saw more than 100 elephants take over the city in a bid to raise money for Havens hospices.

The auction offers the public an opportunity to bid on their favourite sculptures and give them a forever home to raise even further funds for Havens hospices.

Celebrity auctioneer Charles Hanson, known for his appearances in Bargain Hunt and Flog it, will host the Auction, while Rayleigh auctioneer Stacey’s will be managing telephone and online bids in the room.

Abbey Parsons, events fundraiser at Havens hospices, said: “The Herd in the City Auction will be an amazing opportunity for our supporters to not only bid on their favourite unique elephant sculptures from the summer, but a chance for Havens hospices to thank our wonderful supporters for an unforgettable art trail.

“Quite simply, our specialist care and support wouldn’t exist without events and fundraisers like Herd in the City.

“The auction is the grand finale of the trail, and we can’t wait to celebrate the trail’s success and welcome the public to take home their very own piece of the trail as a lasting legacy.”

There will be 46 lots going to auction, and the public can also bid online now.

To bid online, register your interest to attend on the night or for more information about the lots, visit www.herdinthe.city/auction.

Capacity for the auction at Saxon Hall, in Aviation Way, Southend, is limited so tickets to attend on the night will be allocated to accommodate this.