A LITHOGRAPH donated by Prince Charles fetched almost £4,000 at a charity art auction in Tavistock last Thursday.

The signed proof, which sold for £3,700, was among 100 artistic works to go under the gavel, raising around £19,000 for St Lukes Hospice.

The Prince's lithograph, part of a limited edition of 20 artists' proofs, was taken from one of his own watercolour paintings of Ben Avon which overlooks Balmoral.

Some of Devon's most prominent artists donated original works to the auction, including Lionel Aggett, Heather Janschz and Brian Pollard.

Among the Cornish artists to contribute pieces were John Bampfield, Noel Betowski and Sophie Harding.

Well-known Tavistock auctioneer Robin Fenner presided over the event, which marked his 35th year in the profession.

He said the Prince's lithograph was the highlight of a very successful evening.

'That was certainly the big prize of the night,' he said. 'The investment value of a picture by the possible future monarch is obviously very high.

'It was a very entertaining event — the cause was superb, the generosity of the artists was amazing and the atmosphere was bubbling.

'The town band played carols in the interval and a young lady by the name of Sarah Jenks sang absolutely beautifully. It all made for a very enjoyable occasion.'

Mr Fenner donated a painting from his own private collection to the auction — 'Shopping in Tavistock' by Plymouth artist Liz Jones.

In addition to original works, there was a selection of limited edition prints and etchings by celebrated West Country artists such as Robert Lenkiewicz and David Young.

A Lenkiewicz sample copy of a picture entitled 'Study of Mary' sold for more than £150 to a Plymouth woman whose father had been cared for at St Luke's.

The paintings on offer were complemented by pottery and sculptures, including the colourful ceramics of Ross Emerson and Richard Godfrey and one of Jennie Hale's animal sculptures.

Leading wildlife and angling artist Robin Armstrong, from Milton Combe, donated 'The Countryman' in memory of a close friend who died of cancer.

Caroline Blackler, community fundraiser for St Lukes, was delighted with the amount raised for the Plymouth hospice, which is celebrating its 21st anniversary this year.

'I was absolutely terrified on the night,' she said. 'My heart was in my mouth, hoping the items were going to fetch good prices — it was really nerve-wracking.

'But in the end, I had nothing to worry about, because the total raised was fantastic.

St Luke's Hospice needs £3-million a year from fundraising and grants to provide 24-hour care for terminally ill patients and their families.