A SIGNED guitar from one of the rock world's biggest bands will take centre stage at a charity auction this week.

Oasis frontmen Liam and Noel Gallagher, together with the rest of the band, have signed the Epiphone Sheraton, which is currently winging its way to Southampton where it will be waxed.

Daily Echo readers are now being offered first chance to bid for the instrument - similar to one used by Noel Gallagher on their latest tour - before it goes under the hammer at Friday night's auction in aid of people with Multiple Sclerosis.

A former Saints player who wants to remain anonymous has already started the ball rolling, by bidding £5,000.

The guitar was offered by local restaurateur Stephen Deards, from the Rib Ranch, Southampton, who arranged for it to be donated by Eastleigh firm AWAX International Ltd, which provides security to Oasis as well as other big names including the Stereophonics.

Mr Deards, who is a member of the Geoff Smith Charity Fund committee, said: "I knew that a signed guitar from Oasis would raise money that we didn't even think possible.

"I wanted to help out because a friend of mine has MS."

Steve Allen, AWAX director, said: "We had the guitar signed by Oasis - who were very keen to get involved - because we wanted to help a very good cause and because one of the directors of the company also has a personal involvement with MS."

The auction is part of an evening of entertainment at an annual charity golf day taking place at Botley Park Hotel, Golf and Country Club.

Among those attending will be patrons of the charity Matt Le Tissier and Jason Dodd, who will be helping to host the auction.

Other items up for grabs include a selection of Premiership team shirts, football memorabilia and foreign holidays. All the cash raised will go towards providing a holiday home in Spain for MS sufferers and their families.

Organiser Geoff Smith, who suffers with MS, said: "Getting the signed guitar is going to give us a terrific boost.

"The money that this will raise on it's own will take us someway in achieving our £100,000 goal to pay for the holiday home."

If you would like to bid for the Oasis signed guitar, call Steve Deard on 07970 197233 or Geoff Smith on 07786 156 666.