Dorchester welcomed a relative of the town's greatest art export.

The work of Tom Roberts - born in Durngate Street in 1856 - has been celebrated in Australia for more than a century.

The artist, described as Australia's Constable, died in 1931 after producing a series of popular paintings depicting farming scenes and portraits.

Now his grandson Peter has visited Tom Roberts' hometown to see where it all began.

He was welcomed to the county town by Dorchester mayor Molly Rennie at a civic reception in the town hall.

Peter, who flew over from Melbourne with wife Margaret for the trip, said: "This is the second time I've visited Dorchester and it's nice to be back seeing Tom's home town.

"I've carried out a lot of research on our family history over the years and it's lovely to be able to see the places for myself."

Tom Roberts emigrated to Australia with his mother when still a boy.

He went on to paint what have been regarded as some of the best loved works of art in Australia's history.

Dorchester formally marked Tom Roberts and his work two years ago when a plaque went up in Durngate Street to mark the place of his birth.

The ceremony was attended by members of the Australian High Commission and another of Tom Roberts' grandsons, Noel Roberts, who lives in London.

Tom Roberts' greatest work, a picture of the 250 members of the first Australian parliament in 1901, took him three years to complete.

One of the main figures locally behind celebrating Tom Roberts has been Richard Thorogood, who moved to Dorchester from his native Australia.

"Tom Roberts is regarded as Australia's Constable and it's important his links to Dorchester are highlighted," he said.

"We should feel rightly proud of one of our famous sons and it's lovely to welcome Peter and Margaret to the town."

Mayor Molly Rennie added: "It's a pleasure to have Peter and Margaret in the town. This shows Dorchester's links go around the world and we should celebrate the town's extended family."