Cornish artists have joined a whole host of celebrities to paint a fish to be auctioned in aid of the Fishermen's Mission.

The 'Catch of the Day' online auction will take place next month, featuring ceramic fish sculptures decorated by the likes of Fern Britton, Louis Walsh, Caroline Quentin and Jonathan Dimbleby. Emma Freud and Richard Curtis, famous for his wide range of romantic comedy films, have designed one called "Fish Actually" in tribute to Love Actually.

Each fish stands at around 40cm high and 30cm wide.

Local artists such as Alice Hole, Suzie Williams, Heather Howe and David Hosking have also been busy with their creations, with near 100 fishes now completed and on display at fishmishauction.org.uk.

For every £1 raised, 88p will be spent on delivering emergency and welfare care to fishing families most in need.

Presenter and author Fern Britton, who has visited Cornwall since she was a child, said: "I decided to wrap my fish in newspaper to remind me of my childhood when I would queue on a Friday night after judo - yes judo - to collect a newspaper-wrapped portion of juicy cod and chips. The heat of the fish on the inky paper added to the fragrance of my supper.

"When I was approached by the Fishermen’s Mission about ‘Catch of the Day’ I just knew I had to be part of this unique campaign, not only to raise money, but also to create national awareness of the everyday challenges and dangers our UK fishermen regularly face to get fish on our plate.”

Currently the highest bid is for a fish by the Peterhead Academy, which is up to £450, followed by Sarah J Brown’s artwork from Cadgwith for £400 and Helston artist Alice Hole's work for £325.