A MAJOR auction of promises will be staged this autumn to raise funds for the York Older People’s Assembly.

The event, to be held at a candlelit three-course dinner at 7pm at the Guildhall on Thursday, September 22, as part of the York Festival of Food & Drink, will be a precursor to the assembly’s annual York 50+ Festival.

Festival coordinator Sue Lister said local businesses have been “wonderfully generous” in offering items for the auction, with lots including afternoon tea for two at Betty’s and for six at the Dean Court Hotel, £150 off spectacles and £250 off a new hearing aid at Specsavers, family tickets to the Jungle Book at the Grand Opera House and two tickets to any show at the Theatre Royal.

She said the assembly hoped to raise sufficient money to continue presenting the festival and an information fair, holding bi-monthly public meetings with topical speakers, distributing 4,000 quarterly newsletters and speaking up for issues of concern to older people.

Tickets for the dinner, costing £40, are on sale at the Food & Drink Festival,by phoning 01904 635149, or from yorkfoodfestival.com