Shell out on Johnny Depp egg for Easter

The Pirates of the Caribbean star is one of the celebrities who has donated a decorated egg to raise money for the Royal Blind School.

Ant and Dec, Rebus author Ian Rankin and Rangers legend Ally McCoist have also designed eggs which will go on display next week in Multrees Walk.

Dancing on Ice presenters Holly Willoughby and Philip Schofield also got out their paintbrushes to help the appeal.

Shopkeepers are incorporating the Faberge-style wooden eggs into their window displays. They will then be auctioned off on eBay to raise funds for the charity.

Each artist has also put a gift inside their egg for the buyer.

Depp, who is filming the fourth movie in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise in Paris, has decorated his egg to look like his character, Captain Jack Sparrow. It will go on display in The Pen Shop.

More eggs have been designed by X Factor winner Joe McElderry, Star Wars actor Anthony Daniels – better known as C3PO – and GMTV style guru Mark Heyes.

Many of the designers put a lot of effort into getting their eggs looking perfect. TV presenter Jenni Falconer asked a senior stylist from Vidal Sassoon to give the finishing touches to her angel design.

She said: "It's been a brilliant event to be part of, especially for such a worthwhile cause. School is obviously such a huge part of a child's development, and the Royal Blind School is playing a big part in developing for the needs of blind and visually impaired children."

Rankin's egg, designed to look like his fictional detective, Inspector John Rebus, will be on show in clothing boutique Replay.

TV presenter Lorraine Kelly created an egg to look like her favourite creature, a penguin.

Heyes has dubbed his stylish monochrome creation the "little black egg", and has filled it with a gift of costume jewellery.

Helen Forrest, marketing and fundraising manager for the Royal Blind School, said she was delighted so many stars had agreed to help.

She said: "We wanted to create a concept that put the fun back into fundraising. The 'Eggstravaganza' is ideal as it offers the chance to get hold of totally unique items.

"As the first of its kind, we've absolutely no idea what these eggs will go for and haven't really been able to put a value on them. In my mind, the Johnny Depp piece is priceless, but that probably goes for every woman!

"Our thanks go out to all the celebrities for taking the time to get involved."

The school is aiming to raise 6 million over the next few years to build a new residential centre and develop other facilities.