A HOST of stars got creative to help children affected by cancer.

The James Whale Fund For Kidney Cancer asked celebrities, TV presenters, artists and designers to customise the outline of the whale in their own way. Among those showing off their artistic skills are Health Secretary Alex Neil, presenter Lorraine Kelly and author Ian Rankin.

The donated whale designs will be auctioned tonight in the Castle Galleries in Glasgow's Princes Square to raise money to support children diagnosed with kidney cancer.

Every year in the UK, almost 9000 people learn that they have kidney cancer. The incidence of kidney cancer in the UK has more than doubled since the mid 1970s.

Kidney cancer is now the seventh most common type of cancer in men and ninth among women in the UK.

Earlier this week veteran sports pundit Archie Macpherson spoke of his shock at being diagnosed with a type of kidney cancer closely linked to smoking, despite having "never had a cigarette in my mouth in my entire life".

The commentator is recovering after surgery to remove the tumour, which also saw him lose one healthy kidney and part of his second.

Attendance to tonight's auction at 7.30pm is free and bidders can also take part online. For more information go to www.jameswhalefund.org/children-with-kidney-cancer-fundraising-event/

caroline.wilson@ eveningtimes.co.uk