A concert programme signed by Michael Jackson is helping to boost a newspaper’s charity campaign.

The Scunthorpe Telegraph is currently auctioning the item on ebay from the King of Pop’s New York concert in 2001 which celebrated his 30 years in the music business.

The item was donated to the paper and also signed by David Gest, a lifelong friend of Mr Jackson’s and also the concert’s producer, after a meeting with reporter Selina Maycock.

Having previously interviewed him for the Telegraph, acting chief reporter Selina Maycock met Mr Gest after his concert in Sheffield where she told him about the paper’s fundraising campaign for charity When You Wish Upon A Star, which grants wishes to seriously ill children.

Last month the Telegraph, along with sister papers the Hull Daily Mail and Grimsby Telegraph, saved a cancelled trip to Lapland run by the charity.

Selina told HTFP: “I was fortunate enough to go on the Lapland trip last year and experienced first hand how it helps poorly youngsters.

“I went to watch his show at Sheffield City Hall and afterwards my mum wanted to try and meet the stars so I waited outside with her.

“After introducing myself to Mr Gest, it occurred to me that he might wish to support our campaign.

“Never did I imagine he would say yes, let alone follow this with an offer to get me something of his childhood best friend Michael Jackson’s to auction off.

“I was gobsmacked but also anxious that he might forget to keep his promise. But true to his word, after speaking with his management, he popped the signed concert programme in the post and it landed on my desk without any warning.”

At the time of writing, the highest bid for the programme was £155 and offers can be made until the deadline on Sunday evening.

On making the contribution, Mr Gest said: “Michael and I always had a special place for children in our heart and I know he would have been honoured to be part of this great cause.

“I dearly hope that someone will cherish this and that it will help raise much-needed money for the When You Wish Upon A Star children’s charity to help with the great work that they do.”