TRUSTEES of a multi-million restoration appeal have proven that every penny counts in their fundraising drive.

The Selby Abbey Restoration Appeal has recently received a boost from US donors - who added £100,000 to the £3.75 million which has been put in the appeal pot since 2000.

But last weekend, four trustees attended the car boot sale at York Racecourse to raise further funds on a local level.

Chairman Charles Forbes Adam was joined by Susan Wrigley, Charlotte Bromet and Jennifer Cooke.

Giles Procter, of English Heritage, and Nigel Adams, the Conservative parliamentary candidate for Selby and Ainsty, also lent a helping hand.

Mr Forbes Adam said: "Four cars, including one large Land Rover, were stuffed to the gunnels with bric-a-brac, clothes, board games, lampshades and all sorts of household items.

"This was really a trial run for a much larger event which may be held closer to Selby next year.

"We managed to raise over £500 which is no mean feat, considering some of the offers we were made.

"Unused jigsaws and fresh home-made cakes sold particularly well."

The next phase of restoration works will be the most expensive so far, at over £700,000, comprehensively restoring the scriptorium on the south side of the Abbey.

The work is expected to start in January 2007.