'Spittin' Mick' needs a new jacket – so put in a bid for the old one

It's the county that gave the world Marks & Spencer, and you can't beat Yorkshire if you want high-class fashion either.

Soft water from the Pennines and the cool, humid climate are apparently the ideal mixture for textile manufacturing and one mill supplied 1,000 yards of velvet for King George V’s Coronation in 1911.

Yorkshire's worsted and woollen fabric is used by Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and many other high-end brands, while the cashmere and mohair dinner suit worn by Daniel Craig as James Bond in Quantum of Solace was made from material woven by Taylor & Lodge in Huddersfield.

But now a similarly distinctive garment worn by another instantly recognisable, iconic figure has come on to the market.

How do you fancy getting your hands on Mick Easterby's green puffa jacket?

The trainer himself certainly fancies it and seems scarcely to have been seen without it for the past half a century, with fashionistas in the North Riding suggesting it dates right back to the day he won the Cesarewitch at Newmarket with Boismoss in 1967.

Grab a piece of history

But even 007 has to update his wardrobe occasionally and 'Spittin Mick' has agreed, somewhat reluctantly, to replace the item – which he reckons has more holes in it than a sprinkler at Kew Gardens.

So this green jacket, which is almost as much a part of sporting history as the one the Masters winner receives at Augusta, is being auctioned off in aid of the Yorkshire Air Ambulance, the charity that Easterby and his yard support through their annual point-to-point.

"I need some bidders," said the trainer. "I'll be selling it with tears in my eyes.

"I've had it for 50 years, it's my pet jacket, the famous Michael Easterby jacket. My wife told me to get rid of it, so I said I'll sell it off for the Air Ambulance, get something for it. If anyone comes in and gives me a nice price, they can have it."

Bids can be made via the stable (New House Farm, Sheriff Hutton, North Yorkshire YO60 6TN), by telephone on 01347 878368 or via email at enquiries@mickeasterby.co.uk.

The auction ends at close of business on Friday.