When local eye surgeons bought a building to transform into the region's only eye hospital, they found it empty except for one thing - a huge mural of Yorkshire's own soap, Emmerdale.

Initially baffled, things became a little clearer when they discovered the former occupant of the Yorkshire Eye Hospital at Harrogate Road, Apperley Bridge - Totty Construction - was the company behind the soap's purpose-built set on the Harewood Estate in Leeds.

The painting was one of only two commissioned by Totty from artist Richard Wensley six years ago when the soap moved from its original base in Esholt near Shipley to the new village.

Since then, one has hung proudly on the wall of the Emmerdale studios in Leeds while the other stayed with Totty.

But the art work was left behind when they moved to new premises, leaving bosses at the Yorkshire Eye Hospital with a dilemma.

A hospital spokesman said: "The room has been converted into a day care room and the mural is not in keeping with its use.

"Rather than throw it into a skip we thought we would do something with it."

And yesterday the perfect solution was found when Yorkshire Eye Hospital surgeon and director, Keith Davey, handed it over to actor Chris Chittell, who plays Eric Pollard, on the set of the famous Woolpack pub in studios in Leeds.

In turn it will be handed over to members of the Emmerdale fan club, who are gathering in Leeds today at the start of a special fans' weekend.

As part of the event there will be an auction at Weetwood Hall Hotel, Leeds, on Saturday night, where the painting will be sold to the highest bidder to raise money for Yorkshire charity Candlelighters.

The charity, which is based at St James's Hospital, Leeds, helps children with cancer and severe blood disorders and is this year's chosen charity of the Lord Mayor of Bradford, Councillor Richard Wightman.

An Emmerdale spokesman said: "It would look fantastic on the wall of any local company. It is a striking piece and hopefully it will fetch a substantial amount of money."

Terry Cook, marketing director at Totty Construction, said: "They can auction the picture with our blessing and we hope that it raises a lot of money for charity."