THE town celebrated artist Norman Cornish called home will pay homage to his life and work with a series of tributes.

A gallery in Spennymoor, County Durham, will name its main hall after the late pitman painter, who died last August aged 94, and house a permanent exhibition of his work.

A heritage trail could be created to guide people around the locations that inspired him and there are plans for a commemorative plaque to be installed at his home and studio.

Mr Cornish’s family are working with Spennymoor Town Council on the plans to honour him in the town where he lived his whole life and whose people and places were captured in much of his work.

The council-run Bob Abley Art Gallery, in Spennymoor Town Hall, will create The Norman Cornish Suite and is expected to have the permanent exhibition of his work from next year.

It will feature two large pictures the council already owns along with pieces loaned to the venue from the family, some of which will be on sale.

Colin Ranson, facilities manager, said the council wants to "formally recognise the most high profile artist the town has ever known".

The authority also plans to talk to Durham County Council about creating a Norman Cornish trail.

The route could take local people and art enthusiasts on a tour of the town to visit the scenes he recreated in his iconic work and to see how the town has changed in his lifetime.

Mr Cornish spent 33 years working in coal mines and was a member of Spennymoor Settlement’s pioneering art community, which was known as the Pitman’s Academy.

Councillor Ian Geldard, leader of Spennymoor Town Council, said: “It is a really exciting opportunity for the gallery, he is so highly regarded it will be an international attraction.

“Being his home town, Spennymoor needs to showcase and celebrate his life story and work so we’re keen to work with his family to make that come alive.

“We also hope that in paying tribute to him more people in Spennymoor can learn about him and share in his work and also use his legacy to bring get more people into the town.

“We think it will sit well alongside the Durham Mining Museum which is also in the town hall.”

The Cornish family has donated the contents of his home studio, including unfinished work, his chair and easels, to Beamish Museum which will recreate it as part of a 1950s town being developed at the attraction.