A nest of giant turtles are up for grabs as a Lowestoft charity auction gets under way.

Eastern Daily Press: Members of Access Community Trust (ACT) with the turtles that will be auctioned off. Photo: Mick Howes.Members of Access Community Trust (ACT) with the turtles that will be auctioned off. Photo: Mick Howes. (Image: Archant)

Lowestoft Vision will be selling off the hard-shelled heroes featured in Turtle Trails of years gone-by to raise money for Access Community Trust (ACT).

ACT will be staging open days for the seven turtles at Sams Cafe, in Bevan Street East, throughout August.

Eastern Daily Press: This turtle, decorated to represent Germany, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes.This turtle, decorated to represent Germany, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes. (Image: Archant)

Each of the turtles is decorated to represent a different country and will be displayed next to a ballot box where members of the public can place secret bids.

When the month of bidding comes to a close the individual who submitted the highest bid will take their turtle home.

Eastern Daily Press: This turtle, decorated to represent Jamaica, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes.This turtle, decorated to represent Jamaica, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes. (Image: Archant)

Danny Steel, chairman of Lowestoft Vision, said: 'We have been really pleased with the three years of Turtle Trails but felt it was time to move on.

'A lot of the turtles went to local schools and we wanted to make sure those remaining went to a good home.

Eastern Daily Press: This turtle, decorated to represent Canada, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes.This turtle, decorated to represent Canada, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes. (Image: Archant)

'We thought it was only right to give the people of Lowestoft the chance to buy them.'

Lowestoft Vision say they chose the ACT after previously working closely with the charity and want to raise as much as they can for them. They feel they are an integral part of the community and spirit of Lowestoft.

Eastern Daily Press: This turtle, decorated to represent China, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes.This turtle, decorated to represent China, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes. (Image: Archant)

Mr Steel added: 'They are a charity who do important work and have a direct impact on Lowestoft town centre which is obviously something we want to support.'

Antony Parke, customer experience manager of ACT, said: 'We feel extremely lucky and grateful to be given the opportunity to be auctioning off the popular turtles.

Eastern Daily Press: This turtle, decorated to represent Argentina, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes.This turtle, decorated to represent Argentina, will be part of the auction. Photo: Mick Howes. (Image: Archant)

'ACT has a fantastic history of supporting the people of Lowestoft and this is another way for us to help the people of the town.

'We are hoping to raise a good some of money that can be reinvested back into the people and community of Lowestoft.'

Open days will be staged on Monday, August 14, Friday, August 25, Saturday, August 26, and Wednesday, August 30. The final day will be held on Friday, September 1.

All bids for the turtles must be submitted by 4pm on September 1.