They are synonymous with holidaying and act as a lasting memento.

And for one gallery in Lowestoft, 75 postcards have really caught people's imaginations as they are auctioned to raise money for a holiday resort in Lowestoft which helps ex-servicemen and women.

Visitors to the Ferini Art Gallery in Pakefield are already pre-bidding on the second annual Pakefield Postcard Auction for the pieces of art which include landmarks of the town, along with an array of colourful depictions.

The gallery provided the artists with mount board to paint their designs on. Some of the materials that have also been used to create the postcards include silk, wood, glass, mosaic and plaster and paint.

Pre-bidding and the chance to view the postcards remains open until Sunday and there is then a few days rest before the main event - the live auction at Pakefield Church Hall on Wednesday, August 19.

Last year more than £1,000 was raised for East Anglia's Children's Hospices (EACH) and gallery manager Michaela Hobbs described how the postcard exhibition is a 'miniature version of what we do all year round'.

'I went to one two years ago and raising money while you are having a nice evening seemed to me to be a good idea', she said. 'I have cards from Bristol, Lincolnshire, Essex and one all the way from France.

'The idea is that you don't know which artist has created them but some artists have been crafty and signed them. One artist, who is very well known, has created an image which you wouldn't guess is his, which is very crafty.

'It is nice hearing people talking about the postcards and the amount of time that people spend looking at them is surprising.'

Steve Schofield, manager of Kitchener's, said the money raised will help with repair work to the front of the building.

'We need around £7,000 which at the moment we don't have. We are extremely thankful for any money raised and the artwork is extremely good and original,' he said.

The pre-bids are available to view on Facebook or the auction's website. The gallery already has three cards currently going for more than £100.

Nicholas Rudge, of Durrants Beccles, will be conducting the auction, with doors opening at 6pm and the live auction running from 7pm to 10pm.

The entry fee of £5 includes wine vouchers, cheese and a souvenir catalogue. Proceeds are going to Lord Kitchener's Holiday resort - a unique Suffolk charity overlooking the sea in south Lowestoft.

To see all 75 original postcards, go to www.pakefieldpostcardauction.co.uk

Are you raising money for a charity in Lowestoft? Email joe.randlesome@archant.co.uk