The tour manager of heavy metal band Iron Maiden has pledged to do his best to keep Helston's Penrose Community Centre open and kept his word on Friday with an auction to raise funds.

The future of the centre remains in doubt after Helston town council applied for planning permission to turn the centre into flats and build a new centre elsewhere in the town.

Steve Gadd is a close friend of Al Rideout, a Helston music teacher who regularly uses the centre and has campaigned against these applications. Steve donated band memorabilia that was auctioned off at the Bell Inn.

Al and Steve play together in the Al Rideout Explosion who also performed at the fundraiser.

Youngsters from Helston were involved in the performance.

After nearly 30 years with the band fronted by legendary performer Bruce Dickinson, Steve collected a whole host of memorabilia but has parted with some of it to help the centre that he uses and said would be a "tragedy" to lose.

Some of the items on offer at the auction included signed albums, photos, DVDs and used drumsticks.