An artist on the Lizard Peninsula has recreated not one but two van Gough paintings after a bidding war broke out at a charity auction.

As a result, the New Inn at Manaccan have proved themselves old masters at fundraising, after amassing £6,000 for Children's Hospice South West's Little Harbour hospice near St Austell.

Sarah Wimperis, the only English artist to have worked on the BAFTA and Oscar-nominated film Loving Vincent, took five hours to recreate van Gogh’s masterpiece Irises, - the painting voted for by New Inn customers.

This was then auctioned at a dramatic fundraising evening in the pub. The bidding started at £500 and kept rising until it reached £2,800, at which point the losing bidder suggested jokingly that they might share the painting. The winner, however, had a better idea: if Sarah could be persuaded to paint a second masterpiece, he would match the the £2,800 and both parties would be happy, with Children’s Hospice South West benefitting from £5,600. Sarah of course agreed readily and the pub erupted into applause.

As part of the fundraising evening a raffle was also drawn, which together with donations raised another £400.

A cheque has been now been presented to Alice Merrett, community fundraising for Children's Hospice South West. This was after Sarah stipulated that she would give her time and talent as long as the charity chosen would benefit children and be Cornish.

Pam Luddington, organiser of the event, said: "We are fortunate indeed to have living in our small community a number of very talented writers and artists who generously give not only of their time but also, as in this case, their work to be sold in aid of charity."

Alice Merrett, community fundraiser at Little Harbour said: ‘It costs over £3million to run Little Harbour, costs which are met almost entirely from voluntary donations, and such support from the local community is invaluable."