An art exhibition has been cancelled as a result of a fire.

This year's Art@Eype exhibition, which was due to take place this weekend from Friday to Sunday, has been called off as all three of the exhibition organisers have been affected by the devastating fire at Bridport's St. Michael's Studios.  

While the riverside-end studio of photo-artist Sally Davies and portrait specialist Elizabeth Sporne appear intact, they cannot get into the building. Painter David Brooke’s town-end unit is one of those that may have suffered severe damage, though until access is restored he has no way of knowing the extent of the loss.

Tenants have been informed that there will be no access to any of the affected Edwards Building for several weeks – and for those whose premises are the most impacted, longer.

Those who run the event venue, Eype Church Centre for the Arts, 'have been very understanding', sat organisers, and the other seven Art@Eype exhibitors –  Moira Hazel, Jane Hedges, Brian Freelander, Ian Middleton, John Wolfe and Jamie Hart and Colette Harris, all of whom are from the wider local area – have been supportive.

They will donate their participation fees to the fundraiser for those affected by the fire, some of whom have lost their entire livelihoods.

Except for the fire-affected building, which is now fenced off, the rest of St Michael’s Trading Estate remains open for business as usual.

For more information on the fundraiser and to donate, search 'St Michael’s Fire Fund' on Facebook.