A SPECIAL table, created by the local artists behind pop-up gallery All Our Own Work, will be auctioned in aid of charity in ASK Italian in Festival Place this week.

The restaurant commissioned the group of artists, whose gallery has been located in several locations in the centre in the past few months, to create a one-of-a-kind bespoke piece from one of ASK Italian’s tables.

This unique piece of art will be auctioned at 6pm on Saturday, July 26 at an evening event for the community in Festival Square.

The Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane, Councillor Roger Gardiner, will attend and David Domoney, television gardener and presenter on ITV’s ‘Love Your Garden’ will serve as auctioneer. David will also be available to answer questions about gardening.

A selection of free canapés will be served by ASK Italian, and guests can treat themselves to a summer cocktail at a special ASK Italian bar in the Summer Garden.

All proceeds from the auction will be donated to the Ark Cancer Centre Charity as part of Festival Place’s ongoing £10,000 pledge to help build the local cancer care and rehabilitation centre.

Vickie Randall, Charity Manager at the Ark Cancer Centre Charity, said: “Not only is Festival Place supporting the local art community in this auction, they are continuing to support us in our mission to provide state-of-the-art cancer care to local Basingstoke residents.”

See the artwork come to life outside ASK Italian in Festival Square from 12noon – 2pm on July 26.

This event is open to all. To reserve a seat, email marketing@festivalplace.co.uk.

The remainder of the seating will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis on the evening.