Signatures from the cast of the hit historic sit-com Dad's Army helped bring the dream of a new clubhouse for Thetford Town Cricket Club a step closer on Sunday.

Signatures from the cast of the hit historic sit-com Dad's Army helped bring the dream of a new clubhouse for Thetford Town Cricket Club a step closer on Sunday.

The autographs, which were obtained when the cast came to film scenes for an episode at the club decades ago, were just one of the lots to go under the hammer as part of a charity auction to help raise funds.

In the end they proved to be the auction's most expensive lot when competitive bidding between a local man and a professional autograph seller sent their price rocketing to �1,500.

But is seems that while people were prepared to pay for signatures from great TV personalities of bygone years the current disenchantment with politics was carried over into the saleroom.

A signed tie donated by former prime minister Tony Blair failed to reach its reserve price of �100 and the lot had to be pulled from the auction when bidding stalled at �70.

In total the auction netted �5,062 for the new clubhouse fund and an additional donation on the day raised that total by another �500.

Thetford team captain Darren Newey said: “We are very happy with what we raised.

“We want to build the new club house as soon as we can raise the money which will be between �80 and �100,000.

“If we have events like this it will be a lot quicker.”

Other lots in the auction included a drawing by Charles Bronson which raised �580 and numerous signatures from sports personalities which also helped boost the total.

The cricket team's current clubhouse on Mundford Road was condemned by the council in 2004 and is due to be pulled down in the coming weeks.

Players are hoping a so called “lashings” match at the end of the season, where Thetford will take on a team of professionals, will also help boost funds and that money will soon be forthcoming from the England and Wales Cricket Board.