Arts & Culture

World-famous graffiti artist Banksy's work normally sells for thousands of pounds however one of his street tags was nearly burnt.

The inaugural Martin Miller's Gin Flaming Art Festival saw guests donate work for others to either bid for or throw onto a bonfire.

One person decided the plank of wood with Banksy's tag on it was art, and bought it for £1,600.

About 150 people, including Guy Ritchie's mother Lady Amber Leighton attended the event, which raised over £4,500 for Nordoff Robbins Trust.

'Anonymous character'

On Friday, an 'anonymous character in a cap and wearing sunglasses' delivered a log of wood with Banksy's tag on it.

Martin Miller organised the event

The artwork was then verified as authentic by Katherine Burton, who was formerly involved in Contemporary Arts for Christie's and Phillip Berridge, proprietor of British Art Academy, Bath.

Banksy's 'official' work is normally verified by his agent and dealer Pest Control.

About half of the 95 artworks in the unique and unusual auction were condemned by the crowd who jeered "Burn it". A number of these were Cornish landscape scenes.

Martin Miller launched the Flaming Art Festival as an opportunity for people to bring along any modern art which they think deserved to be thrown to the flames.

"Everything not sold was hung on a giant frame as an installation. Then we doused it with petrol and lit it," says Miller.