AN ART auction fundraiser has been donated a piece of work from the pseudonymous England-based street artist Banksy, it has been confirmed.

Friends of Dalton Leisure Centre have been looking for ways to generate funds through this auction, and they are hoping that this will be a big contributor to that.

The piece is titled ‘More Room Upstairs’ is from 2008 and plays on the fast-food parody.

It is postcard size and in mint condition and will be sold to raise funds.

Phil Robinson, from Friends of Dalton Leisure Centre believes it would be great if a local business could buy this and keep it in the area.

"It is equally amazing that our fundraising has been donated from a private Banksy collector, so it has true and full authenticity," he said.

"The auction opens on March 1, though bids can be made prior and a reserve of £500 has been placed on it but it’s a rare opportunity to own a piece of cult artwork.

"I think from our point of view, when you get an art collector from London getting involved with this and give us a piece from their private collection, it is just so generous.

"This will elevate our fundraiser to national and international level now.

"It is properly out of the blue this, but Sharon Tait is doing a great job gathering in all the artwork from all over the country to be auctioned.

ARTIST: Sharon Tait

ARTIST: Sharon Tait

"We have more art coming in on a daily basis now."

The centre is appealing for the public’s help to continue operating after revealing its whole infrastructure is in urgent need of repair.

Dalton Leisure Centre is the only non-profit community run leisure centre in the UK and was built more than 35 years ago.

APPEAL: Dalton Leisure Centre is launching a fundraiser

APPEAL: Dalton Leisure Centre is launching a fundraiser

Their cause has grown considerably thanks to people sharing their story – as well as backing from local councillors and Barrow’s MP Simon Fell.

The centre is aiming to raise £20,000 through this buy-a-brick campaign as well as auctioning off dozens of unique artwork from talented national and international artists.

“This has been taken up by a lot of people and, taking out political allegiance, Simon Fell, Ben Shirley and numerous other local councillors have been really supportive backing us,” Mr Robinson said.

“It is touching and humbling to see.

“Any fundraiser is after that pound from someone, and there are many worthwhile causes out there, but I think people have been taken up by this one as it is a real community asset that they now realise could be lost."