OSCAR-WINNING writer and actor Julian Fellowes showed his support for Dorchester literary enthusiasts bidding to return a painting that belonged to Thomas Hardy to the author's former home.

Mr Fellowes, president of the Thomas Hardy Society, hosted a music and poetry evening at his West Stafford home to raise funds for the Hardy Society, The William Barnes Society and The New Hardy Players.

The three groups have joined forces in an attempt to secure an oil painting entitled The Three Marys', which was owned by William Barnes before it was purchased by Hardy.

The painting is being offered for sale by Kenneth Hurley, owner of the Monmouthshire Art Gallery in Wales, for around £5,000.

The event, organised by Mr Fellowes's wife Emma Kitchener-Fellowes, raised the sum of £1,300 as around 90 members of the three societies and other interested locals soaked up the entertainment.

The Thomas Hardy Society has also pledged £2,000 towards the painting and contributions will also be made by the other two organisations involved.

Secretary of the Thomas Hardy Society Mike Nixon said the painting, which is in excellent condition, represented great value and they were hoping to have secured ownership by the end of the society's international conference on August 2.

He added: "This is very much a three-way fundraising effort. What we want to do is reinstate it back to Max Gate, where it hung for 40 years and where it will be on display for the public to enjoy."

The 18th century painting by artist Richard Wilson was purchased by Hardy following Barnes's death and hung in his dining room at Max Gate.

Hardy revered Barnes, organising subscriptions for the poet's memorial and editing a volume of his work.

An inscription on the painting, in Hardy's handwriting, reads 'The Three Marys bought at the sale of William Barnes, Dorset poet, by Thomas Hardy'.

Hardy's widow Florence sold the painting at Duke's auctioneers for just four pounds, 14 shillings and six pence.

Mr Nixon said: "This is a unique opportunity to reinstate the painting at Max Gate, something that most certainly would have pleased Hardy."