A TOWN is gearing up to welcome the arrival of a painting by one of the country's most important artists.

Bridport Museum has secured the loan of an original JMW Turner watercolour of West Bay for this summer.

The painting, depicting a ship being hauled into West Bay, will feature in a special temporary exhibition alongside works from the museum’s own collection by its founder, Captain Alfred Percy Codd.

The painting will be transported from Bury Art Museum, Lancashire, and the entire town will celebrate its arrival with a collaborative programme of events, including a mammoth sea-themed exhibition at Bridport Arts Centre, musical celebrations at the town hall, talks at the LSi, an exhibition at the West Bay Discovery Centre, film screenings, theatre shows and musical entertainment.

Colfox pupils are also beginning their own artwork inspired by Turner, which will be displayed at the arts centre.

Museum director, Emily Hicks, said: ‘We are so proud and excited to have secured this painting for the town. This will be the first time that Bridport has been able to borrow a work by one of the country’s most important artists. There are also lots of exciting opportunities to get involved by volunteering to steward the exhibitions and share them with the public.

"It is very pertinent that we are bringing this painting back here, since Captain Codd, who founded Bridport Museum, was a Turner fanatic. We have many copies by Codd of Turner paintings, many of which will be shown in the exhibition."

The museum has thanked the Friends of Bridport Museum, the Dorset Museums Association and Bridport Round Table for supporting the programme, and is also offering the local community the unique opportunity to get up close with the exhibition with stewarding and sharing the exhibition with visitors for a limited time.

Emily added: "We are delighted to announce some extra special opportunities this summer to get involved with your museum. We have stewarding slots available for the exhibition, joining our existing dedicated volunteer team. We also have brand new opportunities for any confident social media users to help promote the wider cultural programme of events happening across the town."

Anyone interested in helping to steward can contact Nikki on 01308 458703 or email visitorservices@bridportmuseum.co.uk.