ROCK star James Dean Bradfield is giving away his 18th birthday present guitar to help a hospital where his mother spent her last days.

The Manic Street Preachers frontman is auctioning his Fender 12-string acoustic guitar on some of the band's best-selling albums.

It was bought for him by his parents for his 18th birthday before the band shot to stardom and string of hits.

Now he hopes it will raise money for Velindre Hospital in Cardiff where his mother Sue was treated before she died of cancer, aged 50.

The Pontypool born singer described it as a "unique piece of history" for their fans.

He said: "I was given the guitar on my 18th birthday by my mother and father, so it is very special to me.

"It was used on the albums Generation Terrorists and Everything Must Go. And it comes with the original Guns and Roses sticker!"

Bradfield is patron of Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff, and his gesture comes before a Welsh celebrity trek for the charity from Wales to Patagonia in November, led by comedian Rhod Gilbert.

The trek will mark the 150th anniversary of the arrival of Welsh settlers to the Argentinian region.

Andrew Morris, Head of Fundraising at Velindre, said: "This is an incredible gesture, to auction such a personal item with so much meaning and memories is totally in keeping with the affection and respect he has for the hospital."