ALCESTER Army Cadets are holding an auction to raise money to visit World War I Battlefields.

The auction of Promises and Skills will be held at Alcester Members Club on Saturday, July 19 and aims to send 24 cadets to Ypres in Belgium.

The lots include bed and breakfast in Wales, dinner, bed and breakfast at Studley Castle with limousine pick-up and drop-off, the services of a carpenter or gardener for a day, one day emergency first aid training, a bass guitar lesson, beauty vouchers, bouncy castle hire for the day and a handmade birthday cake.

So far the cadets have raised £2,000 but need another £2,000 to fund the trip.

Detachment commander, Julie Cook, said: “I want them to have a sense of history and pride in the uniform. We have a list of the war dead from the veteran's society and will research the men involved. I want them to have a connection with real people.

“Our motto is Inspire to achieve. No one thought we could do this, but I wanted to show the cadets that if you work hard enough then you can achieve your goals.”

The detachment commander was told that raising the funds for the trip would be too hard but by involving local organisations such as the Round Table who have donated £500, they are now nearing their target.

Other entertainment will also be put on with live music, a barbecue and bouncing castles.

BBC Midlands Today presenter, Michael Collie will be chairing the event on St. Faiths Road.

The event starts at 6.30pm.