Northampton Welfare Rights Advice Service, based in Hazelwood Road, Northampton, provides advice about state benefits to the over-60s, families, and disabled people.

This year the charity's Christmas raffle includes around 70 prizes, ranging from a signed photo of Tony Blair, a theatre programme from Dame Judi Dench and an exclusive signed photo of Johnny Depp, as well as mementos from EastEnders, Holby City and The Bill.

Jeanine Wiltshire, benefits advice worker, said: "I was working for a different charity about eight years ago and had the idea of writing to Johnny Depp amongst others for items to sell for the charity. I was very pleased when he very kindly said he'd like to help. So when he came back to England again, I was working for a different charity and wrote again and was very happy when he said he'd help that charity as well.

"The benefits system has become complicated beyond belief, at the same time that most departments have gone over to call centres and remote claiming. This has meant that the general public finds it harder and harder to even understand what they are entitled to receive, let alone how to claim."

The charity also has tickets for Northampton Cricket Club, the Cobblers and Milton Keynes Dons to give away in the raffle, which aims to raise awareness of Northampton Welfare Rights Advice Service.

Tickets for the raffle are 50p each or 5 for £2 and can be bought from 3-7 Hazelwood Road, Northampton. The draw is on Saturday. Information and advice from the charity is available on Northampton 636112.