BUBBLES flowed at an exclusive party to celebrate the launch of a new art exhibition being displayed in Basingstoke to raise money for a breastfeeding drop-in service.

Special guest, actor Bertie Carvel, who played cheating husband Simon in the BBC drama series Dr Foster, mingled with guests at the Secret Art event held at DeskLodge in Basing View, on Thursday last week, chatting and posing for pictures.

The first 20 guests were treated to a goodie bag full of gifts donated by local businesses, including The Topiary Hair & Beauty Salon, also the sponsors of the People’s Choice Award, Wittard of Chelsea and Brett Ruth Auto. Guests enjoyed listening to pianist Thomas Barfoot whilst admiring more than 200 postcards designed by artists from all over the world.

Local artist Fatima Pantoja impressed with her skills, creating quick portraits using pastels.

The Tea Bar was on hand to keep guests topped up as they explored the inspiring hotdesk location, which has a beach, Zen room and Narnia wonderland hidden behind a wardrobe.

Bertie kicked off a charity auction with top tickets to see War Horse, and even bid on a lot himself, winning a signed print and copy of children’s book Smelly Louie by Catherine Rayner, donated by Pan Macmillan Publishers.

Other lots included portrait sessions with local photographers Studio 1314 and Cristina Barton, a family pass to the Hawk Conservancy Trust and passes to Flip Out in Basingstoke.

Bringing in the single highest bid of the night was a piece of original artwork by wildlife artist Paul Hawkyard, whose image of a barn owl sold for £400.

There was a twist to proceedings when three bidders trying to secure a private party with Basingstoke band Wherewithal agreed to pay £140 each, thanks to the generosity of the lead singer Stacy Hart who was there on the night and offered to donate three separate parties instead.

Lindsey Lawman, who organised the event for the Basingstoke branch of the NCT, thanked everyone for attending, giving a personal thank you to the breastfeeding counsellors who helped her on her own breastfeeding journey. At the end of the evening, guests enjoyed sampling a piece of cake shaped as a pair of breasts, created by Cakes by Chris.

The auction raised £2,800, with the final tally for the night coming in at just under £3,500. Money raised from the event and the sale of the postcards will go towards helping the counsellors continue their work supporting new mums in Basingstoke.

The postcards can now be seen at The Willis Museum, Proteus Creation Space, That Gallery and The Discovery Centre, before being sold for £20 each on August 4.

The identity of the artists who created them will not be revealed until after the exhibition and sale, giving the public the chance to purchase a piece of affordable artwork which could be worth much more.

Artists include illustrator of Jacqueline Wilson's books Nick Sharratt, illustrator of Julia Donaldson books Lydia Monks, local artist Kev Munday) and comedienne Jenny Eclair.

Lindsey said: “I am thrilled that the excitement I’ve felt for the project since the beginning is now seeping across Basingstoke town; pretty much everyone I spoke to at the launch had scribbled the numbers of their favourite pieces on their hands, some are even talking about camping out the night before sale day to get a prime spot in the queue!”

Details of the sale day, as well as the Secret Art Basingstoke scavenger hunt, art workshops and junior art competition, can be found at secretartbasingstoke.com