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Ed Sheeran's swimming trunks go under the hammer

George King
BBC News, Suffolk
Laura Foster
BBC News, Suffolk
Reporting fromMartlesham
Laura Foster/BBC An acoustic guitar surrounded by baseball cats positioned next to a wooden stand displaying a pair of trainers, headphones and earphones. An Ed Sheeran cut out and other T-shirts can be seen in the background.Laura Foster/BBC
Everything from a Martin & Co. acoustic guitar to baseball caps belonging to Ed Sheeran have been put up for auction

Ed Sheeran fans from around the globe will have the chance to get their hands on more than 200 of the singer's personal belongings when they go up for auction.

The Shape of You songwriter has donated the items to St Elizabeth Hospice through Bishop & Miller Auctioneers, which is accepting online bids until 15 June.

Everything from a Star Wars Christmas jumper, guitar, bathrobe and a even a pair of swimming trunks will go under the hammer.

"We're really excited to have this auction and it's a really eclectic collection of pieces for all purse strings," said Oliver Miller, from Bishop & Miller Auctioneers.

"We get bin bags of stuff and we can confirm stains have been spotted, but that's the bizarre thing, you want the stains because it means he might have worn the items, " Mr Miller said.

Laura Foster/BBC A pair of red swimming trunks with butterflies on them. Other items can be seen in the background. Laura Foster/BBC
A pair of swimming trunks belonging to Ed Sheeran are going under the hammer in aid of St Elizabeth Hospice
Laura Foster/BBC A close up of Oliver Miller, from Bishop & Miller Auctioneers. He is smiling directly into the camera. A row of tops on hangers can be seen in the background on a clothes rail. Laura Foster/BBC
Oliver Miller, from Bishop & Miller Auctioneers, said bidders will likely put their hands deeper into their pockets because they can "relate" to Sheeran

This will be the fourth auction Sheeran has ed in aid of the charity, which s people with life-limiting illnesses in Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney.

The previous events have generated hundreds of thousands of pounds with bids be made from around the world.

With items expected to reach anywhere between £25 to more than £1,000, the auction is predicted to generate at least £10,000.

Ed Sheeran standing in front of a white fence in a field in Snape. The ginger haired singer is wearing a tight black T-shirt. His arms are covered in tattoos.
Superstar Sheeran has raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for St Elizabeth Hospice
Laura Foster/BBC A close-up of Judie Newman from St Elizabeth Hospice. She is wearing glasses and smiling directly into the camera. Tops and a pair of trainers can be seen behind her Laura Foster/BBC
Judie Newman, chief executive of St Elizabeth Hospice, praised Sheeran for choosing to a local charity

Judie Newman is the chief executive at St Elizabeth Hospice, for which Sheeran's mother used to make bracelets that were sold in the charity's Framlingham shop.

"Ed could have chosen any international or national charity, so we are so honoured and thrilled he chose a local charity that he has had a connection with for years," she said.

"Everyone will find something in this auction that they will love to have - it's a wonderful mix.

"We need to raise over £12m every year to run the hospice and we have to raise 70% of that ourselves through the community, so an event like this an absolutely wonderful opportunity."

Laura Foster/BBC A white pair of Nike Air Jordan basketball shoes. Laura Foster/BBC
It is believed Sheeran most likely would have worn these Air Jordan shoes due to the fact there is a slight orange mark on them
Laura Foster/BBC A blue and grey Ipswich Town Football Club hoody hanging on a silver rail alongside dark t-shirtsLaura Foster/BBC
Fancy owning Sheeran's Ipswich Town Football Club hoody?

The online auction officially launched on Saturday, with the charity giving fans the chance to look and touch the lots at its Martlesham Retail Centre, in Suffolk.

The event attracted more than 600 people, which is nearly double its normal footfall for a Saturday.

Keri-Ann Plaskett, whose parents were given "a really good quality of life" by the hospice before their deaths, attended the event with her children.

She told the BBC: "I think it is really kind of Ed and when he has done it before it has raised lots of money.

"I brought my children to see the items and I told them it would be cheaper than going to his concert at Portman Road.

"You wouldn't be able to see or touch his clothes otherwise, so I thought it was nice for them - it's a treat."

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