Simon Cowell bids for £2,500 poo at Cotswold Wildlife Park

The famous television presenter, who has a property in the Cotswolds, appeared to be overjoyed with the bid at Cotswold Wildlife Park this week.

The poo, which has been gold-leafed, has been described as a "unique memento". 

Mr Cowell and his partner Lauren opened the bidding at £2,500 for the 23.75 karat gold-leafed dropping at a charity auction to raise funds for the Tusk Trust.

The "money-can't-buy" object - believed to be the first of its kind - was the star lot at the event being held at the wildlife park near Burford.

The park, which Mr Cowell and his family have visited several times this year, is committed to rhino conservation and works closely with the UK-based Tusk Trust to protect Africa’s many threatened species.

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In August it hosts its annual rhino conversation fundraising event, Rhino Month, to raise funds and highlight the plight of rhinos in the wild.

The dropping, from one of the park's rhino calves, had gold leaf applied by professional gilder JoJo Hull in a process known as oil gilding with Italian gold leaf. 

Mr Cowell was invited to meet the crash of rhinos with senior keeper Jenni.

She said: "We think their son Eric may even become a future keeper as he's a natural with the animals, especially Belle the Capybara."

Jamie Craig, curator of Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens, added: “It's great to have Simon’s support for our work with rhino conservation.

"Hopefully his extremely generous opening bid will encourage a 'bidding war' and ensure we raise a good sum for the project.

"The eventual winner will certainly have a unique memento."

Future bids are welcome when Rhino Month officially begins in August.

For more information about Tusk Trust, visit www.tusk.org.