There is no fast-talking auctioneer, but a large Lawrence auction is under way nonetheless.

An online auction sponsored by the Lawrence Journal-World, World Online and Sunflower Broadband began Friday morning and is attracting bidders interested in more than 350 items for sale by area businesses.

Lawrence Auction Central started taking bids at 9 a.m. Friday and will accept bids until 8 p.m. June 1. People can bid on items at www.ljworld .com/auction.

“We’ve been advertising it pretty heavily and it appears people are jumping on right away and bidding pretty heavily,” said Al Bonner, advertising/marketing director for The World Company, which owns the sponsoring companies.

Bonner said about 20 percent of the items had received a bid by Friday evening.

People can view the items up for auction by visiting the Web site or by reading a catalog inserted in the May 18 Journal-World.

Extra copies of the catalog are available in the lobbies of the Journal-World, 609 N.H., The News Center, 645 N.H., and Sunflower Broadband, 1 Riverfront Plaza. Copies also are available at participating businesses in the area.

Items up for auction range from dining certificates to a new car.

Bonner said company officials decided to sponsor the event because they thought it would be an exciting way for businesses and consumers to buy and sell goods and services.

“We thought it was a good opportunity for businesses to sell goods in a unique auction environment and for consumers to get good discounts,” Bonner said.

Complete details on how to bid or participate in the auction are available in the catalog or at the Web site.