AN art sale with a twist is coming to Colchester to raise money for a new cancer centre.

For the first time, the Secret Art Sale will be held in the High Street - the public will have a chance to buy original pieces of art for £40.

The artist behind the work will be kept a secret until it is bought, meaning it could be by a famous artist, a celebrity or an up and coming big name in painting.

Artists have been asked to donate a small picture, whether it be a painting, drawing, lino-cut, etching, textile or embroidery.

All the works are the same size and are signed on the back.

Organiser of the Secret Art Sale, Kathy Norris, said: “Artworks are coming in from artists ranging from aspiring to professional, from amateur to celebrity, not only from local artists but from artists across the UK.

"We have many excellent and well-known artists in the area and many have submitted works, or promised us pieces already.

"The support so far has been fantastic but the more pieces we have the more we can raise for the Cancer Centre Campaign.”

The campaign hopes to raise £3.25million to bring all the cancer services together in one place at Colchester General Hospital.

Caroline Bates, head of fundraising for the Colchester Hospitals Charity, said: “We are excited by this new event which will give a big boost to our target needed to build the new cancer centre.”

The sale will be open from 10am until 5pm on Friday and Saturday, March 2 and 3.

It will be held in The Minories in Colchester.

Admission is free, with all proceeds from the artworks sold going towards the Cancer Centre Campaign fund.

The Secret Art Sale is still looking for a main sponsor to help cover the main expenses, and anyone able to help can get in touch with organiser Kathy.

Call 01206 754660 or 07721 772692.