NEWPORT art-lovers will have the chance to snap-up original work by budding talents at a charity auction.

A diverse range of artwork by staff and students of the University of Wales, Newport will be auctioned in aid of the Asian tsunami victims and children in Romania.

More than 100 pieces of innovative pieces - ranging from traditional oil paintings and photographs to screen-prints, fabric designs and multimedia pieces have been donated.

They are currently on display at Newport Market Hall and the Meze Lounge in Market Street before the auction on March 3 at the Gallery bar in Market Street.

Matt Wright, third year photographic art student and co-organiser of the event, said: "This is a great opportunity for people to invest in original artwork whilst supporting two very important charitable causes.

"Given the university's international reputation for documentary photography, we've got lots of photographic art to auction, including some large prints of Eric Clapton live at the Albert Hall.

"We've also got work by official war photographer Professor Paul Seawright who represented Wales at the prestigious Venice Biennale exhibition last year."

All cash raised will be split equally between the Tsunami appeal and Everyone's Child Romania.

Matt and fellow student Jo Hayes have set up a project called ArtSpread to promote the high standard of work produced at the Newport School of Art, Media and Design

They have been helped by Anastasia Taylor-Lind, a documentary photography graduate who now works for Enterprising Art which has have given space in Newport Market for the pre-show exhibition of work.

"Enterprising Art is dedicated to making the first floor of the recently renovated market hall a great showcase for Newport's many talented artists to display and sell their work," said Anastasia, an artistic support officer at Enterprising Art.

"We're delighted to let the students use our exhibition space to show off the art that's up for auction."

There is a £1 minimum donation for entry to the auction, and the entertainment starts at 7pm with the auction at 8.30pm.