The station, 96.7 Ashbourne Radio, hoped to raise £1,000 towards the building of a new care centre at Treetops Hospice, in Risley.

But listeners swamped the lines with bids and, following a donation of £1,000 by an anonymous benefactor, the fund shot up to £3,548.50.

Kate Shaw, hospice appeal manager, said: "I'm so appreciative of Ashbourne Radio for taking up our fund-raising challenge and also to all the local businesses and listeners who responded so positively to the event."

The lots were varied and included a tour of the House of Commons, with tickets to the gallery for Prime Minister's Question Time; tickets for the BBC1 hit show Strictly Come Dancing; tickets for a motor racing event at Brand's Hatch, Kent; and tickets and back-stage passes to see the Kaiser Chiefs in concert.

Treetops Ripple Appeal aims to raise £2m to build a new centre at its Risley site to double the number of people it can help.

The hospice provides respite care for patients with life-limiting conditions and gives families and other carers a break.