RESIDENTS are being urged to bid for some amazing prizes, as well as support vital charities, at an online auction being held tonight.

The auction, part of Redditch-based The Genuine Gemstone Company’s annual customer Summer Ball, takes place tonight Friday, June 13 and for the first time will be hosted live online, meaning people at home who are unable to attend can bid.

Steve Bennett, co-founder of The Genuine Gemstone Company, said: “We decided to change the auction format this year which has enabled customers to pre-register and bid a week before the evening begins, this is a great way for those customers that can’t attend to still enjoy the auction and the associated excitement.

"We have some fantastic prizes this year, including: VIP tickets to see Kylie Minogue, signed David Beckham merchandise, a gemstone hunting trip with me and the team to Oregon and of course Gemporia jewellery."

All money raised will go toward the Colourful Life Foundation and Equal World charity.

For anyone interested in bidding and donating money to charity in the process, visit http://tggcball.auction-bid.org/micro2.php

Bidding will close at 10pm.