A HOST of celebrated names and works from the art world will feature as part of an upcoming fine are sale, including a Churchill family portrait.

A signed artist’s proof of a portrait of Sir Winston Churchill by his daughter, Sarah Churchill, is one of several pieces turning heads at a quarterly Darlington art sale later this month.

Other lots going up for auction include signed limited edition prints by famous artists LS Lowry, Salvador Dali, Sir Peter Blake and Beryl Cook, together with an original pen and ink drawing by the satirical cartoonist Ronald Searle.

“Just one of these pieces would be of great interest in a sale but to have such a range of big names from the world of art in the same auction is very exciting,” said David Elstob, auctioneer and director at Thomas Watson.

“Although only a small sketch – 30cm by 22cm – with a guide price of £100 to £150, the Churchill portrait commands a particular fascination given that it represents a moment of family intimacy between the iconic World War II leader and his notorious actress daughter.”

Sarah Churchill, who was born in 1914 and died in 1982, was one of Sir Winston Churchill’s four children and grew up to be an actor, taking her from provincial theatres to London’s West End and roles on Broadway and in film.

When her father became Prime Minister, she became his personal aide and although he is said to have often been at odds with his daughter, he valued her tenacity and nicknamed her ‘Mule’.

Her notoriety was fuelled by frequent appearances in London courts on alcohol-related charges and she spent a short spell on remand in Holloway Prison.

The sale of the sketch and other works will go ahead on February 27 at the Thomas Watson auction house, off Northumberland Street.

Mr Elstob added: “Original work by Lowry is currently highly collectable and prices have recently moved onto a new level.

“This trend has been reflected in the value of signed prints by the artist and we are expecting a great deal of interest in these lots.”

A series of five Lowry ink sketches will be auctioned alongside the prints. Dating from 1949, each one bears either a signature or initials and are collectively valued between £2,000 and £3,000.