THE WHO’S Pete Townshend, who in his heyday smashed most of his guitars, has managed to save a few to auction on the internet in aid of Oxfam.

Townshend is selling a variety of his favourite instruments, including a 1957 Stratocaster given to him by Eric Clapton and a Martin acoustic signed by Rolling Stone Ronnie Wood.

After seeing reports on the floods and droughts hitting Africa, the musician was so moved that he decided to make his own contribution. In an appeal to potential bidders logging on to the website www.auction.eelpie.com, Townshend, 54, says: “I have gathered together a number of items I regard as precious. I’ll miss them when they’re gone and I sincerely hope they mean as much (or more) to you as they have to me while I’ve been custodian.

“This auction will benefit those in urgent need in Mozambique and Ethiopia. It will be an opportunity for collectors of memorabilia, precious guitars and other interesting things to contribute to a very good cause.”

Among other items in the sale will be letters sent to Townshend by some of the biggest names of the Sixties, including Clapton and Keith Richards.

Many of Townshend’s gold and platinum discs as well as prizes for his work on the soundtracks of films such as Quadrophenia and Tommy will also be going under the virtual hammer alongside promotional artwork and tour clothes.

Those interested in finding out the full list of lots or in bidding for the items should log on to the website — the seven-day auction will close at 6pm on 17 May.