A church restoration appeal has nearly reached its target thanks to a little help from a Hollywood starlet and other kind-hearted donors.

Pride and Prejudice star Kiera Knightley will sign a copy of the novel after offering her signature to an Auction of Promises to raise funds for the Stonesfield Parish Church Restoration Appeal.

She and boyfriend Rupert Friend, who starred alongside her in the film adaptation of Jane Austen's classic, will both sign the book.

Mr Friend's mother, Caroline, lives in Stonesfield and one of her close neighbours bid £40 to have a copy of the novel signed.

The auction, held in the parish church's St James centre in Stonesfield on Friday night, raised £5,001, plus an extra £305 in donations leaving the appeal fund less than £5,000 off its £30,000 target.

Appeal organisers are now getting ready to start the restoration project at the 13th-century St James the Great Church.

Miss Knightley's offer to help came after a month after she raised £4,301 for Oxford-based charity Oxfam by donating the dress she wore to this year's Oscars awards ceremony.

Although her pledge gained a lot of interest, there were others that raised more money for the fund, including two holidays that each netted more than £200.

Among others attracting the attention of bidders was a book donated and signed by Witney MP and Conservative leader David Cameron, which fetched £80, and a silk scarf, to be made by the Rector's wife, Judith van der Weegen-Gussin, which went under the hammer at £40.

Organiser Brian Hodgson, who acted as auctioneer for the night, was delighted with the outcome.

He said: "I read on the auction day that a Cardiff psychologist had been working out a happiness formula, including elements such as weather and friendships, and he concluded that June 23 is the happiest day of the year it certainly was in Stonesfield."

The restoration will begin with the removal and restoration of the church's roof.

Appeal secretary Simon Haviland said the auction exceeded everyone's expectations