Jolie, Pitt spend £1m on Banksy artwork

Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have spent £1 million on work by contemporary British artist Banksy at a London auction.

The art sale took place at the Lazarides Gallery in Soho last night, but the pair were not at the auction to buy the pieces in person.

Other celebrities participating included Dennis Hopper, Ashley Olsen and Sean Pertwee, while art by Warhol and Hirst was on offer.

Photographer Steve Lazarides, who has encouraged the popularity of Brit Art in America, organised the event at The Shadow Lounge.

About last night's show, he said: "The idea is to inject a little anarchy back on the staid, serious business of buying art.

"There is a whole new set of buyers. Whether they're rag trade, City boys or celebrities, they tend to be under 45.

"They've got money and they don't particularly want to spend it on a Picasso - they want to buy something that relates to their lives, their time and their culture."