THE highest bidder in an auction for a two-foot tall chocolate bunny has donated it back to charity.

Readers were asked to ring The Gazette and make an offer over the telephone for the 8lb hollow chocolate treat to raise money for CLIC - Cancer and Leukaemia in Childhood.

It was auctioned by Mike Bowler from Basingstoke, the father of a two-year-old boy who is dying from cancer, as part of a weekend festival he is organising to raise money for different cancer charities.

The event, called "Daniel's Festival of Hope - fighting cancer for young and old" is taking place at the War Memorial Park in Basingstoke on June 15 and 16.

Keen to support the cause was Terence Jones, of Loggon Road, Basingstoke, who put in a bid of £25.

He said: "My niece died from leukaemia when she was eight about two-and-a-half years ago and CLIC supported her.

"They looked for a bone marrow with no success."

He added: "I've always supported cancer charities. It's great I've been able to help."

The chocolate bunny will now either go in another raffle or auction to try and raise even more money for CLIC.