VALUABLE works of art have been donated to a community group by notable artists including Sir Anthony Gormley and Lucy Cavendish in the hopes they can raise money for a troubled bus service.
Campaigners for the X112 organised the auction, which will take place this Saturday from 2pm until 5pm, as part of their fundraising drive to keep the service alive.
Cuts to council funding and dwindling passenger numbers have taken a toll on the Barrow to Coniston bus.
Organiser Barbara Harris said: "There are some lovely pieces available.
"My first ambition was to get around 30 pieces but we have now tripled this - I can barely move around my home for them all.
"We have many people talking about the service and some of them didn't know anything about it beforehand."
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Mrs Harris first wrote to the Angel of the North artist Mr Gormley several months ago and was over the moon with his gesture.
The piece, Reflections 6 will be auctioned in Sotherby's, London with a reserve of £1,500 and is expected to sell for a minimum of £4,000.
Made using crude oil on paper, the small, minimalist piece has been framed especially for the event and can be seen in the famous auction house's catalogue.
Both national and local artists have helped out, with an original oil painting from Lucy Cavendish and an ink drawing of Piel Island from Hannah Willetts.
Lady Cavendish has contributed a photograph and a Furness College art tutor has donated work, as well as encouraging her students to do so too.
Mrs Harris added: "We have to think about different ideas to raise awareness and money for the service.
"An awful lot of people in the local community don't have cars so the bus is so essential; it's a no-brainer to keep it."
The service, which is run by private company Blueworks Taxis Ltd, runs on cash from ticket sales and donations.
This Saturday's auction is taking place at the Fishermans Arms hotel, in Baycliff.
A sponsored walk and a cook book endorsed by Hairy Biker Dave Myers have all helped keep the service running.
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