A PAINTING showing a rare historical view of Poole Harbour and Sandbanks is coming up for auction in Bournemouth next Tuesday.

The watercolour by Birmingham-born artist Frank Richards, shows the vista from the grounds of Brownsea Castle.

It is among 700 lots in the House and Son’s fortnightly sale, where it is expected to fetch between £400 and £600.

Richards (1863-1935) studied at Birmingham Art School and later became a member of the Newlyn group of artists in Corrnwall. He is known to have worked in Lulworth, Wareham and Bournemouth.

Two of his portraits, depicting former Bournemouth Mayors, hang in the Town Hall.

Several more examples of his work are on display at the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery, including a Christchurch river scene, a view of Egyptian pyramids, and portraits of Merton and Annie Russell-Cotes and his mother Elizabeth.