The original artwork of one of the most famous albums of the 1980s – drawn by a former Kent student – has sold for £17,000 at auction.

Illustrator Lo Cole graduated from the Maidstone College of Art with a degree in fine art (printmaking) after completing a foundation course at St Martin’s School of Art in London.

And in 1984 he was hired by the record company ZTT to illustrate the debut album of Liverpool five-piece Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

Welcome to the Pleasuredome was one of the most eagerly anticipated albums of the decade – coming hot on the heels of the band’s multi-million selling number one singles Relax and Two Tribes.

It went on to spawn the band’s third consecutive chart-topper, The Power of Love, as well as the title track which reached number two.

The band had been catapulted to success in part, at least, due to the controversy the band created. Relax was banned, while the video for Two Tribes featured actors portraying the then-presidents of the US and Russia brawling amid an angry mob.

The artwork for the double album was equally near-the-knuckle – the gatefold showing a large phallus and the back image a selection of mating animals which had to have fig leaves attached after the printing company refused to print it. The front cover was an illustration of the band members.

After being sold to a collector several years ago, it went under the hammer at Omega Auctions in London this week.

It sold for £17,000 to a German-based Frankie fan.

The original line-up of the band reformed for the first time since 1987 earlier this year to perform a song at a concert ahead of the Eurovision Song Contest in their home town of Liverpool. It remains unclear if the group will play any further shows. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of their year of chart domination.

Lo Cole’s parents – Joanne and Michael – were the creators of 1970s children’s TV hit Bod and went on to create Fingermouse.