A CHARITY has drawn upon the artistic talents of East Lancashire celebrities for the launch of its latest fundraiser.

Coronation Street stars Julie Hesmondhalgh, from Accrington, and Edenfield’s Antony Cotton are among those backing Epilepsy Action’s National Doodle Day.

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The TV duo, along with former Burnley resident Steve Halliwell – Emmerdale’s Zak Dingle – will see their handiwork auctioned on eBay.

More than 1,200 celebrities, including Mary Berry, Steven Gerrard, Rita Ora and Grayson Perry, have taken part in National Doodle Day since it began twelve years ago.

Household names including Sir Bruce Forsyth, Joanna Lumley, Martin Clunes and Carol Smillie have submitted drawings for this year’s event, the proceeds of which will be used to help support the 11,400 people across Lancashire with epilepsy.

Philippa Cartwright, fundraising manager at Epilepsy Action, said: “Every year we’re overwhelmed by support from celebrities and always look forward to seeing the variety and creativity of the doodles they send in.

“National Doodle Day is always a terrific success, raising thousands of pounds for Epilepsy Action. The highest-grossing doodle ever sold for more than £1,600, but each one makes a huge difference to people with epilepsy and their families.”

The success of the 2014 event led to Epilepsy Action being named the world’s second most popular charity to benefit from celebrity engagement, after ALS and its Ice Bucket Challenge campaign.

Hesmondhalgh, who played Haslingden woman Sylvia Lancaster in Black Roses at Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre last year, drew a spiral structure with a number of stick men climbing and clinging to the frame.

Cotton, a former pupil at Woodhey High School in Ramsbottom, submitted an outline of the word “love”, with a heart in place of the letter “o”.

The National Doodle Day celebrity auction will run from February 6 to February 15.