ART lovers flocked to a silent auction in Chippenham on Thursday, raising £3,000 for the Friends of Chippenham Hospital.

More than 50 local artists donated works of art for the Mayor's charity auction, held at the Cause arts centre at the Causeway.

Members of the public flocked to see and bid for the wide range of paintings, photos, sculptures, glass, jewellery and textiles.

Mayor Richard Meek and Mayoress Karin Meek were delighted at the event's success.

Cllr Meek said: "Karin was hoping we might raise that much and when we got home and started to open the bids we could see how much we'd raised, and Karin was in tears."

Some items remain unsold. Contact Karin Meek on (01249) 655331 during the next two weeks if you want top put a bid in. Unsold paintings will be exhibited in Chippenham Hospital.