PAINTINGS by famous Middlesbrough artist Mackenzie Thorpe are on track to being exhibited at the town’s railway station.

His work, which has been shown as far afield as the USA, Australia and Japan will go on show to more than one million passengers each year.

Following a request by Middlesbrough Council, he is creating new pieces especially for the exhibition which will see nine paintings displayed in fixed frames on Platform 2 for two years.

“I have always been a great fan of railway posters and so who would have thought that me, a boy from the ‘Boro’, would the honour of having my work hung in my home town railway station?" Mr Thorpe said.

“It is a real honour and even more so because it is Middlesbrough Station, the place I have stated and finished so many memorable journeys.”

First TransPennine Express Station Manager Mike Drewery said: “Middlesbrough Railway Station is used by around 1.4 million passengers every year, so it’s vital to us that they have a good experience and they form a good first impression of the town.

“Mackenzie Thorpe is hugely popular, and rightly cherished by the people of his home town, so he was the perfect choice to create some eye-catching art works for the station.

“This is a real coup for the town and we are sure those who live, work in and visit Middlesbrough will get a great deal of enjoyment from the new pictures.”

The nine works are due to be installed at Middlesbrough Station in March.