A host of celebrities have been getting involved in creating artwork out of Porthleven's storm damaged defences - and raising money for its fishermen in the process.

As first reported by the Packet back at the beginning of October, the fundraising project for the Fishermen's Mission was dreamed up by the charity's Cornwall regional fundraising manager Julian Waring.

He has taken possession of the heavy wooden baulks that were part of the port's harbour defences before being smashed away by the power the sea, during the storms of February 2014.

In what was a dark time for Porthleven, huge waves rolled through to the inner harbour, sinking ten boats, as well as floats, nets and crab pots.

As a result large numbers of fishermen from the area were forced to turn to the Fishermen's Mission for help, with their livelihoods in tatters.

Now Mr Waring is hoping to raise as money money as possible for the charity, by auctioning artwork from nearly 100 artists, all created out of a piece of the baulks.

TV actress and presenter Caroline Quentin is among the first of the famous faces to return her a painting, while West Cornwall MP Derek Thomas is said to be asking Prime Minister Theresa May to sign a piece.

Other names rumoured to be taking part include Penzance-born Olympic gold medalist Helen Glover and poet laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy.

Closer to home, students attending a special after school club run by the technology department at Helston Community College will be given pieces of wood to work with.

Their finished pieces will then join the exhibition and auction in the New Year, which will feature sculptures, paintings, mosaics, etchings, ceramic and glass, as well as items of furniture.

Penzance auctioneer David Lay has agreed to run the auction on March 18, 2017, when pieces will also be available to bid for online.

Mr Waring said: "This is a unique opportunity to purchase not only a piece of social history but a celebration of talent from something that was protective that then caused damage."

The project started with permission and help from the Porthleven Harbour and Dock Company, with the Marconi Timber Frame Company, based at Helston's Treprison Industrial Estate, then collecting the wood and cutting the first pieces.