A collection of Sussex celebrities have agreed to plumb their creative depths to produce personal pieces of art for a charity auction.

Their efforts have produced a colourful array of artwork, ranging from cartoon characters to self-portraits, which have impressed international watercolour artist Shirley Trevena, who lives and works in Hove.

She came up with the idea to ask well-known Sussex names to donate work to help raise money for The Martlets Hospice in Wayfield Avenue, Hove, of which she is a patron.

Mrs Trevena said: "So far, 25 have sent me examples of their work or, where they have been too shy to put pen to paper, they have sent signed photographs of themselves."

Among them was actress Julie Walters, who has donated a penned sketch of a Siamese cat.

The star of Billy Elliot and Educating Rita, who lives near Billingshurst, has even signed it "by Julie Walters, aged 53".

Former Olympic gold medallist Sally Gunnell, from Steyning, created a delicate work of watercolour flowers as her contribution.

Spoon-bending illusionist and psychic Uri Geller created a pen drawing in the style of Salvador Dali.

ITN newsreader Nicolas Owen, who lives near Gatwick, created a cartoon for the auction, which will take place later this month.

Mrs Trevena, whose still life and landscape paintings are highly sought after, said: "The quality of some of the work is quite amazing and there are obviously some talented artists among the celebrities who live in Sussex."

Cartoonist Raymond Briggs, creator of The Snowman, sketched another of his well-known characters.

He sent a colourful drawing of Fungus The Bogeyman from his home at Westmeston, near Lewes.

John Ryan, who lives in Rye, donated a sketch of his legendary cartoon character, the swashbuckling pirate Captain Pugwash.

Adam Hargreaves, who took over drawing the Mr Men children's favourites after his father Roger's death in 1988, sent in Mr Tickle from his studio at Cross-in-Hand.

Brighton-based actor Victor Spinetti donated a caricature of himself and former Dads Army star Bill Pertwee drew a clown.

All Creatures Great And Small star Christopher Timothy sent a signed photograph of himself instead.

He prefers to leave the artwork to his wife Annie, whose work has been exhibited at the Royal Academy. The couple live near Chichester.

Other donations include a George and Mildred cartoon from actor Brian Murphy who starred in the television comedy series of the same name, while former Foreign Secretary Denis Healey, now Lord Healey, sketched a self-portrait to be included in the auction.

Simon Bradshaw, editor of The Argus, has donated an example of his minimalist artistic style.

The two circles in pencil are accompanied by the message: "I am not an artist as you can see, so please give generously anyway."

Mrs Trevena said: "Some of the work is likely to be quite sought after and will be very collectable.

"Other well-known artists, including John Yardley, Neil Meacher and Nick Osborn, will be exhibiting and we are all available to give advice to anyone who wants to talk to us."

For further information about the event, which will be held at the hospice on June 29 from 11am to 5pm, phone 01273 747455.