A PAINTING donated to Sheldon School in Chippenham by Sir Anthony Gormley was sold in a Bonhams auction for £11, 312.

Gormley, the famous British sculptor whose best known works include the Angel of the North, donated the painting -called WAIT - in support of the school's library refurbishment.

Art teacher Indigo Moss and A Level art students wrote to a range of celebrities, artists and writers asking them to return an original postcard sized artwork.

The initial auction, before Christmas, sold works from Alan Bennett, Julia Donaldson, Stephen Fry, Dame Judy Dench, and Gilbert and George amongst others.

The value of the 2015 work, painted on paper and sized 19.2 by 14.1cm, was estimated at between £4500 and £10,000 but it exceeded all expectations.

Bonhams, the fine art auctioneers in London agreed to auction the painting and waived their usual fee.

A spokesman for Sheldon said: "We are highly delighted with the result and are incredibly grateful to Sir Anthony for his donation. It will go a long way in refurbishing our library."