A PAIR of red pants worn by TV’s Nick Knowles ended up raising £2,250 for a Swindon teen who needs life-changing surgery in the United States.

The sum makes the trunks, worn by the DIY SOS star on the recent series of I’m a Celebrity! Get Me Out of Here, 30 times more expensive than a pair of designer Versace Y-fronts.

Nick Knowles donated the clothing to an auction raising cash for Luca Railton. The 15-year-old was born with bilateral tibial hemimelia, leaving him with missing bones in his legs.

The boy, who grew up in Swindon but recently moved to Bath, requires surgery in the United States to help get him on his feet. An auction on Saturday night in Pewsey is hoped to have raised up to £10,000 towards the costs of the operation and rehabilitation.

Luca’s mum, Theresa Railton, 47, said: “The pants had been bid for and won by a woman, but the lady put them back into the auction so they could be bid for again."

“The night was amazing. Absolutely amazing. Seeing Luca up on stage delivering his speech and thanking everyone.”

She said the family were looking to keep the red trunks theme going into this year. She was hoping to get a team together to run the Bath Half Marathon wearing red shorts.

To donate to the £120,000 fundraising campaign, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/luca-walk-campaign/