YORK.- A genuine original piece of David Hockney fax art, 'DH at the beach', sent by the artist from his Malibu beach home in California to a Bradford childhood friend on 10 November 1988, is to be auctioned along with about 30 other pieces of art at a charity auction in York (at York St John University) on the evening of Saturday 11 October.

The donor of the Hockney work, Michael Powell, believes it to be unique and it is one of a series of eight faxes, the others in possession of the donor's brother and other family members. The date and time sent can be clearly seen on the fax.

The auction is arranged by York charity, the Wilberforce Trust, which as York's oldest charity has been supporting people with sight loss in York since 1833.

The fax, framed, is one of about 30 pieces of art donated to the charity for the auction, most pieces being either by artists with sight loss or other disabilities or artists local to York.

Hockney, who sent 'art' faxes to friends in the late 1980s and early 90s, has himself said the faxes are worthless. Nevertheless, originals have sold for considerable sums at auction.

The auction, at the York St John University on the evening of Saturday 11 October (7.00pm), is preceded by a viewing in the afternoon (from 12.00 noon). Entry to the viewing and auction is by catalogue which costs £10, this including an evening drinks reception.