Ed Sheeran has donated the prototype of a guitar made for his new album = as a charity raffle prize for a primary school in his hometown.

Money raised in the raffle will go towards a fund for a music pod and disabled access facilities at Sir Robert Hitcham’s CEVA School in Framlingham, Suffolk.

"There is not another guitar like this," Ed Sheeran explained in a video message. "This is the guitar that gets sent to me to check that all the other guitars are all right - it says prototype in it."

The guitar was made to celebrate the release of his latest album, which he described as a "coming-of-age record". The instrument was made in collaboration with Northern Ireland-based guitar maker George Lowden and features symbolism from the album.

Only 3,000 of the Equals Edition guitar will be available to buy through Lowden’s dealer network.

Sheeran recently released a festive single made in collaboration with pop icon Elton John. Proceeds from 'Merry Christmas' will be split between Ed Sheeran Suffolk Music Foundation and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Photo Credit: Dan Martensen

Listen to Ed Sheeran and Elton John's collaborative single below: