FORTY years ago Paul McCartney’s Mull of Kintyre topped the Christmas charts and now he is backing a charity in the region.

The former Beatle is donating singed memorabilia to Kintyre Seasports, formed by 15 community organisations to improve life chances for local youngsters and families by developing marine sports on Campbeltown Loch.

It hopes to build a nationally recognised training and event centre that will fund growth through tourism. The sounds of the Campbeltown Pipe Band memorably accompanied the track by McCartney’s ex-band Wings, written in tribute to the picturesque Scottish peninsula where he owns a farm. Now it is hoped the charity, run entirely by volunteers, will benefit from the merchandise by holding an online auction.

“The Seasports project involves them and the entire community in sports like kayaking, paddleboarding, sailing, rowing, open water swimming and diving,” said Campbell Fox, the charity’s chair. “If you imagine an 18-year old registered carer from Campbeltown training as an instructor, teaching local kids and holidaymakers how to sail and going on to compete in international competitions, you have the picture.”

Items include an autographed special edition DVD of Ron Howard’s Beatles film Eight Days A Week, a signed colour photograph of McCartney and an autographed copy of a book which accompanies a limited deluxe edition of his 2011 remastered McCartney II solo album.

The items go on sale on eBay from 9am this morning.