A NIGHT of entertainment, fundraising and art workshops will mark the launch of a new art event in Basingstoke.

Secret Art will feature 200 specially-designed artistic postcards, with the identity of their creators concealed on the back, only revealed once purchased.

The postcards, created by a range of artists from as close to home as Basingstoke and as far afield as Quebec, Canada, will be exhibited from July 23 to August 3.

A launch event will be held at the Desk Lodge, in Basing View and will be the only place to see all 200 cards in one place before they are scattered around the Discovery Centre, the Willis Museum, That Gallery and Proteus Creation Space.

Organised to raise money for a breastfeeding drop-in service in Basingstoke, the launch event will be officially kicked off by actor Bertie Carvel, known for his role as Simon, the cheating husband in Doctor Foster.

Lindsey Lawman, fundraising co-ordinator for the Basingstoke branch of National Childbirth Trust (NCT), who is organising the event said: “The idea came from the Royal College of Arts, who do it every year and they get some really big names.

“It has since trickled down to other fundraisers, so we thought it would be something a little bit different and give people the opportunity to own some original artwork.”

The launch event will feature a charity auction with affordable lots and live art demonstrations as well as live music.

Lindsey added: “We wanted to do something which would be a celebration and a thank-you to all the NCT counsellors.

“It is rare that we get to do have an adult night out as a lot of the fundraising we do has to focus around our families, so this is an excuse to get dressed up and have a night out.”

Tickets cost £10, with early bird tickets at £5, which includes canapés and a drink, and the first 20 to arrive on the night will receive a Secret Art Basingstoke goody bag.

Money raised from the event will benefit the Brookvale breastfeeding counselling drop-in service (B.A.B.I.E.S - Babies and Breastfeeding; Information, Encouragement, Support.)

The service supports mothers with breastfeeding, and is run by professionally-trained breastfeeding counsellors.

To find out more about the event and the exhibition go to secretartbasingstoke.com.