ACTOR Russell Crowe has showed his affection for St Helens once again, by doubling the money raised from a t-shirt auctioned for Comic Relief by Johnny Vegas.

The Thatto Heath comedian sold a specially-made top which made reference to the film star’s recent visit to the town.

The shirt, which Vegas wore on The Graham Norton Show’s Comic Relief edition, quoted the headline ‘The Oscars? Nah, I’d rather be in St Helens’ which featured in the Mirror ahead of Crowe’s visit for the World Club Challenge.

An auction took place on e-Bay attracted a highest bid of £1,650.

Vegas tweeted on Wednesday that Crowe had offered to match the amount taking the total raised to £3,300.

He said: “Folks please give it up for Mr Russell Crowe who's offered to match the £'s paid for our t-shirt raffle taking it to £3,300 for Comic Relief”.

Vegas took part in a One Direction spoof performance for Red Nose Day last Friday night. To watch the video visit www.sthelensstar.co.uk