Going once, going twice...

Bath's fascination with all things pig-related reaches its climax tomorrow when the sculptures involved in the King Bladud's Pigs in Bath public art scheme come under the hammer.

The colourful pigs, which have brightened up the city's streets for the past six months and made Bath something of a talking point, will be sold at an event at the Assembly Rooms.

The event will see 70 of the 105 sculptures, which celebrate the city's legendary founding father King Bladud, auctioned off to the public.

The aim of the auction is to raise thousands of pounds for the Two Tunnels project, which will create a new cycleway and footpath through old rail tunnels to the south of the city.

The popular sculptures were admired by residents and visitors alike, and last week more than 15,000 people gathered to say goodbye to the life-size models in Royal Victoria Park.

Each pig has a reserve price of £1,250.

Former councillor Gitte Dawson, who came up with the idea for the public art project, said the 70 models chosen for the auction had been selected by the public.

There was not going to be enough time to sell each pig at the event, she said, so the remaining 35 models would be auctioned on the project's website.

Final bids for the online auction will be accepted at noon on November 15.

Gitte said: "Bidding has been brisk already. It should be an exciting evening with quite a few surprises."

Earlier this week Tattooed Pig by Sir Peter Blake, which was in Wellow, had received the highest bid, with one art lover putting in an offer of £6,000.

Velocity Pig, which was in Crescent Lane, was in second place with a bid of £3,000.

For the first time, organisers have said punters will be able to buy tickets for the auction on the door.

The price of the ticket is £30, which includes the cost of a reception and a catalogue.

The reception will start at 6.30pm with the bidding getting under way at 7.15pm.

For more information about the evening contact Gitte on 01225 722 511, or visit www.king bladudspigs.org.