BOXING gloves owned by World Super-middleweight Champion Joe Calzaghe (pictured) packed the biggest punch at a Newport charity auction which raised almost £3,000.

The Newbridge boxer donated a pair of his gloves to the auction - and they fetched a cool £250 just hours before Saturday night's big fight against ex-champion Charles Brewer.

The winning bid for the gloves was made over the telephone by an anonymous bidder - but the lucky buyer is probably hoping they rose considerably in value after 30-year-old Calzaghe retained his title with a points win.

The boxer's donation raised more cash than any of the other 120 lots in the auction for Homestart - a national charity that tries to prevent families breaking up by emphasising the pleasures of family life - also fetched good prices.

Organiser Deb Durman said afterwards she would be writing to Calzaghe, to thank him for his generosity and to congratulate him on his win.

She said other sporting items auctioned at the event in aid of Homestart also fetched good prices.

But lots from the Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife Cherie attracted lower bids. Newport sprinter Christian Malcolm's vest was worth £120 to one telephone bidder, for instance, while a signed Newport rugby shirt also fetched £120.

And a waistcoat belonging to Cwm snooker player Mark Williams also got a good price. A bottle of whisky from Tony Blair made around £50 - as did an evening coat belonging to his wife Cherie.

The event was opened by Simon Payne, who appeared on the nation's TV screens in ITV's Fat Club.

Afterwards Mrs Durman said "It's gone really well - we've raised £2,850 overall which is well above our target, so we're very pleased.

"All the big sales were telephone bids so I'm not sure who's got them!"

She added: "We'd like to thank Fay and John Collingbourne, of Newport Auctions, for all their hard work and all the employees here, and all the people who gave us items for auction or their support."

She said the charity had an excellent response to its request for items.