A special anniversary auction will help celebrate the musical legacy of a coastal town's most famous son.

Organisers of the Pakefield Postcard Auction will mark its 10th anniversary this year as they support an ongoing appeal by raising funds to install a statue of Benjamin Britten, as a boy, looking out over the sea that inspired his music in his birth town of Lowestoft.

Lowestoft Journal: Artworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard AuctionArtworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard Auction (Image: Pakefield Postcard Auction)

In April last year, a community project was unveiled with the aim of raising funds to have the statue installed just yards away from where the world famous composer, conductor and pianist was born.

Lowestoft-born broadcaster and children's author Zeb Soanes and the team of passionate locals - who form the Britten as a Boy statue committee - said around £100,000 is needed to be raised for the sculpture.

Lowestoft Journal: The 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard AuctionThe 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard Auction (Image: Pakefield Postcard Auction)

With the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction being held next month, 143 "postcard-sized original art" creations that have been donated will be auctioned off.

The "miniature masterpieces" will be auctioned off as all funds go to the construction of the Britten as a Boy statue.

Lowestoft Journal: Artworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard AuctionArtworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard Auction (Image: Pakefield Postcard Auction)

Organised by Ferini Media, on behalf of Ferini Art Gallery in Pakefield, the live Pakefield Postcard Auction takes place on Sunday, August 27 at the Hotel Victoria.

Doors open at 6pm, with the live auction starting at 7pm.

Lowestoft Journal: The 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard AuctionThe 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard Auction (Image: Pakefield Postcard Auction)

The evening will be hosted by Zeb Soanes with Stephen Ardley, from Lowestoft Auction Rooms, the auctioneer.

Lowestoft Journal: Artworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard AuctionArtworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard Auction (Image: Pakefield Postcard Auction)

Mr Soanes said: "Looking forward to the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction of 143 miniature masterpieces, raising funds for our Britten as a Boy statue on August 27.

Lowestoft Journal: Artworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard AuctionArtworks featuring in the 10th annual Pakefield Postcard Auction. Picture: Pakefield Postcard Auction (Image: Pakefield Postcard Auction)

"This exciting live auction of 143 original postcard-sized artworks will be held at the Hotel Victoria on Lowestoft seafront, just a few yards from where the statue will be erected."

Lowestoft Journal: Benjamin Britten Picture: PA ArchivesBenjamin Britten Picture: PA Archives (Image: PA Archives)

Tickets cost £15 - which includes a drink, nibbles, a souvenir programme and a paddle in order to bid for the artworks - and are available from Ferini Art Gallery, call 01502 562222 or the Hotel Victoria on 01502 574433 or email info@ferinimedia.co.uk

Benjamin Britten (1913-1976)

Benjamin Britten was an English composer, conductor and pianist.

The internationally-renowned composer was born on November 22, 1913 at Britten House on Kirkley Cliff Road, Lowestoft.

The son of a dentist, the property in Lowestoft - which is now a guest house - would be Britten's family home for 21 years.

Britten grew up to become one of the great composers of the 20th century, with his childhood by the North Sea influencing his later works which capture the power and beauty of the Suffolk coast.

Britten moved to Gresham's School in Norfolk in 1928, staying there for two years before winning a scholarship to the Royal College of Music in London, where he studied with John Ireland and Ralph Vaughan Wiliams.

Britten lived in most of his life in Aldeburgh, in the red house, and was made a Freeman of Lowestoft in 1951.

Together, in a partnership of almost 40 years, Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears created a remarkable musical legacy.

They lived and worked together from 1957 until Britten's death in 1976; with their red house now the home of the Britten-Pears Foundation.

Britten changed the face of British opera and composed some of this century's best-loved choral works - with operas such as Peter Grimes and Billy Budd.