ARTWORK by a prolific railway poster artist is being celebrated at Darlington’s Head of Steam Museum.

Frank Henry Mason, from Seaton Carew, was born in 1875 and gave up a life at sea to paint watercolours – despite no formal training.

He started to paint his famous railway posters from 1910 and during the First World War he was appointed shipping war artist in the Royal Naval Voluntary Reserve.

In 1953 he became President of Hartlepool Art Club, a position which he held until his death in 1965.

The exhibition at the Head of Steam will display many examples of his work and Leona White-Hannant, curator at the museum, said: “Frank Henry Mason was an important artist in terms of both his railway and maritime poster paintings.

“His railway posters in particular are visually memorable and even 50 years after his death, are still popular today.”

The exhibition runs until May 31 and is included in the admission price for the museum.

There is also an exhibition of Mr Mason’s work running at Hartlepool Art Gallery until May 30.