A WORK of art by world-famous county artist the late John Bellany CBE will have pride of place in Dunbar Library.

The painting was given to the people of Dunbar on the occasion of Mr Bellany opening the refurbished MacArthur’s Stores at the Cromwell Harbour in 2009.

Since then, it has hung in the Dunbar Harbour Trust’s (DHT) meeting rooms.

Alistair Mackie, a member of the DHT, explained the reasoning behind the move.

He said: “Recently, there has been a concern that the picture might suffer in its present location, due to the high level of humidity in the centuries-old building.

“Mould was visible on the frame and it was feared that it might be only a matter of time before the adverse conditions would affect the picture.

“A dehumidifier and provision of a constant sympathetic heat would have been an effective but expensive solution.

“A cheaper and more appropriate solution has now been found and one which not only ensures the protection of the painting but means it is available to a wider audience through its display in the library.” The Bellany Estate kindly granted permission for the painting to be reproduced, and this was carried out by Edinburgh Arts and Picture Framers.

The reproduction has substituted for the original in the Trust’s meeting rooms and the original is now open for all to see in the library.

Mr Bellany, who grew up in Port Seton, passed away in August last year.