She sang Diamonds Are Forever – but Dame Shirley Bassey is to auction some of her jewels for charity.

Among the gems to go under the hammer will be a diamond ring given to her as a gift by Sir Elton John, pictured.

Dame Shirley, 87, said: 'All the pieces are meaningful and have a story to tell, whether I bought them for myself or they were gifted to me.

'There is this beautiful 1960s vintage Van Cleef & Arpels ring covered in white diamonds that Elton John gave me after I sang at one of his Aids Gala evenings and which I've worn so many times.'

Dame Shirley, whose rendition of the title track for Sean Connery's 1971 Bond outing remains one of her biggest hits, said she accepted the job thanks to her 'lifelong passion' for the jewels.

Top lots include a diamond necklace, estimated to sell for between £232,420 and £275,460. There is also a yellow diamond ring which could fetch between £142,030 and £172,150.

The auction will take place at Sotheby's Paris on October 10.

Proceeds will benefit Dame Shirley's chosen charities.