AN ONLINE auction of artwork is being held to raise money for a Worcestershire conservation charity.

The Worcestershire Wildlife Trust is auctioning off 75 pieces of donated artwork to help raise funds for their work across the county.

From needlework to ceramics and oils to watercolours, the pieces are going under the online hammer until Thursday, November 3.

Hannah Thomas, who organised the auction, said: "We are really grateful to the donors of the artwork, some of whom are the artists themselves, for giving us this opportunity to use their beautiful pieces to raise money for wildlife.

"We’ve got a real variety of artwork from hand-modelled ceramic fungi and cross-stitch samplers to watercolours and linocuts, acrylics and prints. Each piece is themed on wildlife or the countryside.

"This is a great opportunity to fill a space on your wall or shelf with something beautiful whilst raising money for our conservation work that takes place right across Worcestershire.

"With prices starting at just £5 for some of the pieces, there’s every reason to take a look at what’s available and grab yourself a bargain.

"We're also holding a viewing session at our centre, Lower Smite Farm, so that people can see the artwork for themselves before placing a bid."

The viewing session will take place between 3pm and 7pm on Friday, October 28, at Lower Smite Farm, between Worcester and Droitwich Spa.

The auction includes works of art by amateurs and professionals and covers a range of prices.

Local wildlife artist Valerie Briggs has donated five pieces to the auction, consisting of two watercolours and three graphite drawings.

A large framed watercolour of a barn owl perching on a gate, ‘At the close of the day’, is the highlight of the lot and accompanies a watercolour of an otter and a series of graphite drawings including a fox, and a badger with her cubs.

Other local interest comes in the form of fungi models by Worcestershire-based ceramicist Shirley Talboys, who has spent the last 20 years making botanically accurate ceramic models of fungus for the British Mycological Society and other collectors.

The auction also contains pieces by Lynda and Paul Dunmall, John Fullwood, Derek Hadley and Judith Milne among many others.

The charity’s Ebay page can be found at ebay.co.uk/usr/wildlifeworcs_11

For more information about the work of the Trust visit worcswildlifetrust.co.uk