Farmer and Sheepdog, by Sir Kyffin Williams, sold for �10,200

A total of 49 paintings went under the hammer at Oriel Ynys Mon, Anglesey, in aid of Ysgol Pendalar in Caernarfon.

The watercolours by Sir Kyffin went for a total of �15,000.

The sale of local artists' work was part of a �500,000 appeal, championed by ex-Plaid Cymru leader Dafydd Wigley, to equip the school's new premises.

More than 300 people gathered at the gallery on Friday night for the charity outdoor bidding session.

Mr Wigley delivered an explanatory address before the auction began. Bidders included the opera singer Bryn Terfel, who is also a supporter of the appeal.

The first of Sir Kyffin's works, Cilgwyn, after the mountain near Caernarfon, raised �4,300.

The second, Farmer and Sheepdog, was the last of the evening to go under the hammer, and went for �10,200.

Sir Kyffin's painting of the mountain Cilgwyn raised �4,200

The event was organised by Dewi Jones, whose son Iwan, eight, is a pupil at the school. He had collected the artworks for a year in readiness for the evening.

He said: "It was quite amazing. There was a good mix of paintings and there were people who bought for the very first time, so it was a good night for everybody.

"It was very generous of Sir Kyffin to give us two watercolours. The bidding (for Farmer and Sheepdog) was literally going up by the thousands.

Catrin Finch

"All the artists sold well. From the larger paintings down, everything was going."

Mr Jones already has 15 signed prints and an original artwork in readiness for another auction he is planning for 2006.

Oriel spokesman John Smith said: "It was an incredible evening. A lot of (the paintings) went for very good prices.

"They all went and we were extremely pleased, especially when it all goes to charity."

Other personalities supporting the school's appeal - which aims to reach �100,000 by the end of the year - include harpist Catrin Finch, who is starring in a concert at Bangor's PJ Hall on Saturday 29 October.