Comedian and artist Joe Lycett provides fruity contribution to charity auction in Shrewsbury

The piece, made up of pink and blue squares features a strawberry and flowers, each surrounded with a phrase – albeit ones with words some are going to find very offensive.

“We are really excited that Joe has agreed to contribute an exclusive piece of work – it is extremely kind of him and we are sure it will raise a large amount of money,” said Jonathan Soden, who helps to organise The Secret Artist Sale at his Soden Collection gallery on Wyle Cop.

As well as being a comedian and TV presenter Joe is a well-known artist who is currently exhibiting at The Royal Academy’s summer exhibition.

His donation will be auctioned separately at the Secret Artist Sale and go to the highest bidder.

Last year the Secret Artist Sale was a sell-out success, with customers queuing up overnight for the other paintings on offer, which are all sold at £50.

The event is aiming to raise around £10,000 for charity, with five good causes benefiting – Breast Cancer Now, Lingen Davies Cancer Fund, Alzheimer's Society, Shropshire Wildlife Trust and Severn Hospice.

Emma Backhouse, chief executive of the Lingen Davies Cancer Fund said: “The Secret Artist Sale is one of the most exciting art events around and we are thrilled to have been chosen as one of the charities to benefit this year.”

Around 250 region’s best-known names, as well as international and emerging painters and printmakers, are amongst other artists to donate work.

Halima Cassell MBE, Charlie Adlard, Ann Mackay, James St Clair, Rob Leckey and Linda Edwards are just a few of the talented creatives kindly contributing to the sale which is part of the Shrewsbury Arts Trail.

The sale will take place from 10am on August 20 , with a viewing day on August 19.