When experts saw the painting of Sancreed Parish Church in Penwith they advised the owner to sell it on its home turf in Penzance.

The work will be auctioned tomorrow at David Lays auctioneers and has been followed down from the Midlands by the television programme Flog It.

Greville Watson, the owner of the painting, who lives in Rushdon, Northamptonshire, had taken the work to a valuation day for the BBC daytime antiques show.

Mr Watson, said: "Paul Martin (the programme expert) got very excited about it. He suggested I take it to David Lay, where I could get a good price for it."

Mr Watson believes the painting was commissioned by a parishioner at Sancreed, and was bought by a member of the Reynolds family.

His great aunt married Jack Reynolds, and so the painting came into his hands. It has since been valued at around £5,000.

"It's in the typical style of Stanhope Forbes. It's not been damaged or retouched and is in excellent condition," said Mr Watson.

David Lay said: "It's exciting that Paul Martin, an expert on a very well-known television programme, has recommended me. That's very flattering and it shows that they have real understanding of auction houses all over the country. This picture turns up in the North of England and they specifically mention my name."

Alison Bevan, director of Penlee House Gallery in Penzance, which is currently holding a Stanhope Forbes exhibition, said: "Stanhope Forbes is the name of the Newlyn Art School that everybody knows. Both as an artist and as a human being he was greatly loved, particularly in Newlyn. His representations of the local landscape and of people are a treasure."

For information about the lot call 01736 36141

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