A Basildon art gallery has stumbled across a number of cobweb-covered paintings which are so good they want to show them off in the new Eastgate Shopping Centre art gallery.

But first they need to trace the creators of the works of art, which were found inside a cupboard at the shopping centre in Basildon.

One is a graphite sketch of three images of the late Queen Mother. A collection of paintings of Basildon has also been discovered.

More than 5,000 people have so far visited the Basildon Eastgate Art gallery since it opened less than a month ago.

Those behind the project want to turn the space into a bustling cultural hub where the artwork, photography and sculptures created by artists and students from across the borough can be displayed.

Eastgate Centre spokesman Mike Horton said: “We acquired the Queen Mother sketch in April 2002 from an artist who visited Eastgate to show us his work. We think his name may have been Eric Best, but so far we’ve been unable to trace him.

“We liked it so much we bought it there and then and it became part of a commemorative display in the mall that we put on when the Queen Mother died.

“I found it in a cabinet a few days ago, where it has been stored, and felt it was such a nice piece it deserved to be viewed by the public.

“We have no other details of the artist, but would like to know where he is and if he has any other works.

“We also have a collection of interesting paintings from the then Basildon College. They were painted by students and depict their impressions both of Basildon and the Eastgate Centre as it was then.”

The gallery is a joint initiative between the Eastgate Centre, Basildon Art Trust, the borough’s heritage and arts trails and South Essex College.

The gallery is on level 2 of the shopping centre and is open daily throughout the summer from 10am until 5pm and from 10am until 4pm on Sundays. If you know the identity of the artists contact Mike Horton on 01268 533631.