PATIENTS, staff, artists, children and other members of the public are being asked to donate postcard designs in support of art therapy for spinal patients at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.

The designs, which can be on any theme, will form part of a local mystery exhibition at Aylesbury's Waterside Theatre in aid of the famous National Spinal Injuries Centre.

The exhibition will run in late April, offering budding, amateur and professional artists the chance to showcase their work in a public forum.

The postcards will go on sale to the public during the exhibition and all proceeds will help to fund the arts rehabilitation programme which helps patients by giving them the chance to learn exciting creative techniques such as mosaics, print-making and pottery. This aims to help restore their confidence, ability and enthusiasm so they can return to a more fulfilling life.

Local mouth and foot painter and ex-patient Bazza West is contributing to the display. But like all entrants, his identity will not be revealed until the postcard has been bought and paid for.

Each postcard-sized artwork can be created using any technique or medium and there are no restrictions apart from the size: 4" x 6" (portrait or landscape).

For example: drawing, sketching, painting, collage, black & white, colour, sewn textiles, prints, photography, typography, poetry etc. Blank cards are available from the occupational therapy treatment room in the National Spinal Injuries Centre or you can use your own card.

The Undercover Postcards exhibition will take place from April 23 to 26 in the foyer of the theatre. Entrants can submit up to two postcards for display. To find out more, email Vivienne.gordon@buckshealthcare.nhs.uk or phone 01296 315887 Please send your entry to Vivienne Gordon at the address below by April 9.

Vivienne Gordon, Arts Co-ordinator, National Spinal Injuries Centre, Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Mandeville Road, Aylesbury, Bucks HP21 8AL