A hospital charity has received a boost after one of Norfolk's most famous residents donated items to an online auction.

Stephen Fry has given his backing to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital's Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) by putting the five signed lots on auction site Sellebrity.

The actor, writer, and television presenter has donated two autobiography books, the Harry Potter audiobook on CD, and two ties, worn on the TV quiz show QI, to help buy new incubators for the hospital unit, which cares for babies who need specialist medical care.

The hospital charity is hoping to raise enough money to buy four new incubators, which cost £10,000 each, for NICU.

Officials from the N&N spoke of their delight after Mr Fry listed the five items, which are available to bid on until next weekend.

The N&N's NICU has 42 specialist neonatal cots based at the Colney site and is one of three centres providing the highest level of specialist neonatal, medical and surgical intensive care across the East of England Neonatal Network.

The unit cares for around 900 babies a year.

Louise Cook, fundraising manager, said: 'It's so exciting that Stephen Fry, one of Norfolk's most well-known residents, has chosen to support our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which is part of the hospital charity.

'The money raised will go towards buying new incubators for the unit. NICU cares for premature and very poorly babies from across Norfolk and the surrounding area so the money will be used to benefit local people. The auction will finish on October 5, so we urge people to bid early and bid high!'

For more information, visit www.sellebrity.org.uk

Are you fundraising for NICU? Email health correspondent adam.gretton@archant.co.uk