Top artists back Livingstone bid

Ken Livingstone is hoping to secure his third term as London's mayor

Banksy and Antony Gormley are among artists who have donated work to raise funds for Ken Livingstone's mayoral election campaign.

More than 20 artists have handed over pieces which will be sold at auction at the Aquarium Gallery in Farringdon, central London, next month.

All proceeds will go towards Mr Livingstone's campaign to secure a third term in the 1 May elections.

Turner Prize winner Mr Gormley said that "art is always political".

He said: "The potential to make and experience art is a basic human need, it should be a right.

"Art is always political - at the least it is an expression of personal freedom but if it asks pertinent questions it can also change the way we see and relate to others and the world."

Mr Livingstone, who was first elected as mayor in 2000, said: "London is a city where the arts flourish.

"Artists in all fields make a central contribution to how we see our city and our society as a whole, and I am delighted that so many fantastic artists are willing to contribute in this practical way to helping keep London on a progressive and forward-thinking path."