The nine-foot longboards were painted by ten personalities including the Turner Prize artist Damien Hirst, Graffiti guru Banksy and surf legend Laird Hamilton.

The artwork on show was laid onto the deck of the surfboards by Beach Beat Surfboards in St Agnes under the watchful eye of Chops Lascelles. The process involves using polyester resin technology.

Damien Hirst's boards realised £59,000

Two Hirst boards sold for a total of £59,000 to anonymous bidders: one staying in England and the other to an American telephone bidder.

The auction attracted telephone bids from Europe, USA and even the Middle East.

Damien Hirst and his wife Maia Norman agreed to get involved with the project as Maia is a keen surfer herself: "It is important that we have someone to fight our corner and lobby for cleaner water, otherwise between big business and pansy politicians, surfing would be a health hazard."

The Oxbow-Longlife Longboard art exhibition, which had toured the UK before the boards went under the hammer, was organised to raise awareness for environmental campaigners Surfers Against Sewage.

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