Big Brother fans were out in force at a Leigh art gallery last night as furniture from the recent series of the popular reality show went under the hammer for charity.

Seat of learning - teacher Martin Goldberg with his Big Brother chair Picture: MAXINE CLARKE

Ten chairs from the programme were put up for auction at the Paris Art Gallery, Leigh Road, by Leigh-based Connections Interiors.

Tony and Liz Connell and son Jon, from Liverpool, drove for seven-and-a-half hours to attend the sale of furniture from Big Brother 5 at the Paris Art Gallery, in Leigh Road.

The family bought the evening's most expensive lot, a red floating tomato chair autographed by BB5's Emma, for £620.

City banker Ronnie Ford, 28, spent £630 on two chairs used by host Davina McCall. Ronnie, who lives in Leigh, said: "I think they're great."

Following a competitive sale, Thorpe Hall School teacher Martin Goldberg fought off his fellow bidders to secure a "devil's egg" rocking chair signed by all the Big Brother 5 contestants.

Published Friday August 20, 2004

Brought to you by the Evening Echo