ROLLING Stones fans will be flocking to Chagford in May when a pair of drumsticks signed by band member Charlie Watts go on sale.

Made especially for the Stones' drummer, who owns a stud farm at Dolton, the drumsticks will be added to the list of lots at an auction on May 19 to raise funds for Chagford Youth Club.

In an effort to make their auction of promises a little different from the rest, members of the youth club are searching far and wide for donations.

One member wrote to the Queen Mother at Clarence House and received back a radio/cassette player and a covering letter, Granada Television have donated an original Coronation Street script and approaches have been made to pop singer Christine Aguilera via the internet and new band Hearsay from the Popstars programme.

Youth Leader Glynne Miller said the young people were choosing who to write to and making their own contacts.

'The New Musical Express has been fantastic in helping us and the children have got several addresses of popstars from the internet,' she said.

'We are just going for it and writing to everyone we can because at the end of the day we want to keep the youth club going.'

Mrs Miller said it was wonderful to have the drumsticks from Charlie Watts and anyone who was over 40 would realise what a coup that was.

'Charlie was the Ringo Starr of the Stones — an unsung hero, always in the background. No-one ever pays any attention to drummers yet they keep the time and the beat.

'I have already had someone say to me that if I can get anything to do with the Rolling Stones they will be at the auction with their cheque book so we are expecting a good turnout.'

Anyone who wants to donate an item should call Mrs Miller on 01647 851273 or Kim Tibbles on 01647 433273.