SEVEN works by celebrated County Durham mining artist Norman Cornish realised about £47,000 when they fell under the hammer this week.

Among the pieces up for sale at the Anderson and Garland auction house in Newcastle were several examples of the Spennymoor artist's much-sought-after early work, including the pastel painting Colliery At Night: Pit Road, which was sold for £12,200.

A Man And His Dog, expected to reach £9,000, went for £12,000, while pen and watercolour of A Spennymoor Back Street, realised £8,600.

Three of the paintings came from The Stone Gallery in Newcastle, where Cornish was first discovered.

The auction house’s print and pictures expert, John Bullock-Anderson said: “The sale went really well. “It was good to get more than £10,000 for a couple of the paintings.

“They were good examples from the early1970s. I don’t think there is any doubt that Norman Cornish is the only claimant to the crown – greatest living North-East artist.”

Only one of the works did not sell.