THOUSANDS of pounds were raised at an auction of promises in Chipping Norton.


Journalist, broadcaster and Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson hosted the eighth auction at the Lido which raised £15,225 - and was boosted to about £16,500 after ticket and raffle sales.


Mr Clarkson auctioned off 75 lots to a packed town hall which included a bottle of House of Commons scotch signed by The Prime Minister and an Aston Martin experience.


Writing in his Sunday Times column, he said: "The old town hall was stuffed to the gunwales with people who'd donated prizes.


“There were hundreds of them. I know because I was the auctioneer. It was a fantastic evening.”