Tickets are now on sale for a charity auction hosted by Suggs in Whitstable.

JoJo's restaurant in Herne Bay Road has space for 70 guests to enjoy four courses, a raffle, live music and an auction to raise money for Calais refugees.

Suggs from Madness expressed his enthusiasm to help owner and chef Nikki Billington achieve her fundraising goal from 2pm until late on February 28.

He said: "I’ve known Nikki for some time and she’s an amazing woman who is already doing great things for the many people and children who are trapped in this no-man’s land across the channel from us.

"She deserves for us all to get behind what promises to be a fantastic event for a very good cause.

"Every penny will go directly to help the people of the Calais Jungle.”

Ms Billington has been making regular trips to France with donations of food and other supplies for the makeshift Calais camp known as the Jungle.

She said: "While it seems there will be no easy political solutions emerging soon to the refugee crisis in Calais, it’s become clear to me from my visits to the camp that this is an ongoing humanitarian crisis and that people there need direct help.

"However with over 6,000 people in the camp so much more needs to be done.

"I'm in direct contact with the camp's community leaders and I’m hoping that this auction will raise sufficient funds to finance vital facilities so I’m very grateful to Suggs for stepping forward to be our auctioneer.

"The relief effort is currently being provided entirely through charitable and voluntary initiatives. For my own part, I’ve been taking food, and other donations of aid across, while cooking in the main kitchen there."

The restaurant will serve canapés and fizz to guests on arrival and auction prizes have already been donated.

This includes the opportunity for children to create a short film with actresses, Lindsey Coulson, best known for playing Carol Jackson in Eastenders, and Tania Franks from Eastenders and ITV drama Broadchurch.

Ms Billington added: "We are very grateful to the many local shops and businesses who have come forward to support the event, like Macknades, Manor Wine and the Whitstable Produce Store but I would love to hear from any other businesses or local people who would be willing to donate items for the auction or raffle.”

Tickets cost £120 and can be purchased by cash or cheques made out to N.Billington from JoJo's, 2 Herne Bay Road, Whitstable, CT5 2LQ.

For more information about the auction, which can also be conducted online, or to donate funds or items contact Nikki Billington on jojonikib@yahoo.co.uk.