Author: Raymond Briggs

Raymond Briggs, author of The Snowman, is selling his bounty of snowman gifts for charity. David Smith in The Guardian reports that Briggs has been receiving snowmen since his book was published in 1978 and made into an animated film in 1982

'I get stuff sent from all over the world, especially Japan,' he said. 'It's good quality, a lot of it, but there is too much and I just don't have room. I've filled up the attic and getting a big cardboard box up there is now very difficult, in fact it's a nightmare.'

Briggs hope to sell the items, which he will sign, on EBay.

'We're starting with one item to see if it will work: a Snowman toy holding a tiny teddy bear, which I've signed. It's very well made, like Steiff teddy bears, and I can't remember if we've said £50 or £150. There are mad collectors out there who will buy anything with signatures. If it works, we hope to put more on and raise money for Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital.'