He helped to portray a lighter side to politics with his life-like puppets that entertained millions.

But now Roger Law, co-creator of Spitting Image, has a passion for pottery and ceramics and claims that his creations 'are as witty and beautiful as his caricatures were rude and ugly'.

This week Mr Law is taking part in an exhibition running at Burnham Overy Staithe Village Hall to raise money for Wells Community Hospital.

Mr Law, whose satirical ITV puppet show drew in 12 million viewers a week in the mid 1980s, said he is supporting the hospital to, 'clear up the mess Thatcher left'.

Wells Community Hospital was closed briefly in 2004 by the NHS due to budgeting deficits prompting a vociferous 'Save Wells Hospital' campaign, which was backed by the EDP.

The hospital was saved and the charity Wells Community Hospital Trust was established, which manages the hospital today.

There are long-term plans for a �2.9m renovation of the hospital which include having at least 24 hospital beds and housing-with-care schemes.

Mr Law, who has been making pots for years and has been working in Jingdezhen, China, known locally as Porcelain City, and also living in Australia, said: 'I'm doing this to clear up the mess Thatcher left. The NHS is not what it used to be and if it wasn't for her and Blair, who was part of Thatcher's legacy, they wouldn't have to raise money to pay for the hospital.

'Thatcher didn't believe in community, but there is clearly a big community spirit in Wells, which they will really need with this hospital project as they've got a heck of a job on their hands.'

Mr Law was brought up in the Fens has owned a house in Wells for 14 years.

This is the first time he has put ceramics up for sale.

The exhibition, called EDGE, began on Saturday and features the work of more than 70 artists, designers and creators from East Anglia.

Mr Law's contributions are a bowl featuring the design of an Australian sea horse, a frog paperweight and an etching of Australian puffer fish.

The event has been organised by artist Lucy Geering, who lives in Norwich.

The Geering family raised the �120,000 needed to open the Mermaid Centre at Wells Community Hospital last year.

The centre, which offers renal dialysis, was opened in memory of Lucy's mother, Helen Geering, who died in 2009, aged 64, following a blood disorder.

It was named the Mermaid Centre as Mrs Geering was well-known for playing the mermaid each year in the Christmas show at Burnham Overy Staithe Village Hall, where the exhibition is being held this week.

Miss Geering said: 'As well as Roger Law, we have work from Sir Nicholas Grimshaw PRA, Helen and Colin David of English Eccentrics, Rebecca Lloyd, Chris and Hannah Hann, Diana and Zuleika Parkin, Raffaella Barker and Anneka Rice.

'We have had a brilliant weekend and sold many items already.'

The exhibition is at Burnham Overy Staithe Village Hall and is open from 10am until 5.30pm every day until Friday. Entry is free.

adam.lazzari@archant.co.uk