The Leigh Art Trail are excited to be holding their first Virtual Market as the town’s creative talent come together to support a charity network for local families who have been hit hard by the coronavirus crisis.

Lots of original works are up for grabs via the Leigh Art Trail’s Facebook page. Paintings, sculpture, embroidery, photography and much more are on sale for two weeks - Monday November 23 until Sunday December 6 - with a percentage of the proceeds going to Southend Emergency Fund, which provides help for the borough’s most vulnerable people.

The market also gives Leigh’s artists a chance to bring in much-needed funds after a year in which the cultural calendar was decimated, denying them the chance to display and sell their work in the usual way and causing more financial hardship.

Organiser Jo Bund said: “Obviously we couldn’t hold the Leigh Art Trail as usual this year because of the lockdown restrictions, and our artists really missed meeting the thousands of visitors who flock to the town for the event.

“By holding an online market, we’re giving art lovers the chance to buy something special - perhaps as a Christmas gift - as well as back charities which do so much valuable work in our community.”

For the first year since 1997, Leigh’s shops, cafes and galleries could not throw open their doors for a week in June to host the Art Trail artists.

Big plans had been made for the 24th Leigh Art Trail, but with those on hold until 2021, the Virtual Market means the public can still view and buy work direct from the town’s wonderful array of talent.

Southend Emergency Fund collects donations to help people all across the borough. Money is channelled through a network of charities working in the heart of the community, making sure families and individuals get the support they so desperately need.

•    The Leigh Art Trail Online Christmas Market goes live on the Leigh Art Trail Facebook page on Monday November 23 and runs for two weeks.

•    Between 25 per cent and 100 per cent of the proceeds, depending on the individual artwork, will go to Southend Emergency Fund.