A HISTORIC painting of New Brighton was sold at auction this week for over £20,000.

On Wednesday (October 25) the work, which was one of four in the sale at Dreweatts by Lancashire-born artist Helen Layfield Bradley MBE, was sold.

Bradley is famous for her oil paintings depicting Edwardian life in the North West.

The painting titled 'All day we went to New Brighton' features the metal and latticed tower at New Brighton, which was opened sometime between 1898 and 1900 and stood until it was dismantled in 1919. 

The tower was designed to rival nearby Blackpool Tower and be part of a wider leisure development of the area. 

At the time, New Brighton Tower was the tallest building in Great Britain, standing at 173 metres. 

The tower was closed at the beginning of the First World War and subsequently suffered from neglect, being declared unsafe with demolition beginning in 1919. 

The painting was a direct commission from the artist by the family of the present owner (along with the other three works), so it has remained within the family for generations.

How much did the painting sell for?

The work was sold by a UK private buyer for £22,680 (including charges) in the sale.

Jennie Fisher, art specialist at Dreweatts, said: "We were very pleased with this result. 

"Bradley’s works are very distinctive and instantly recognisable and this strong result shows that her inimitable style still resonates in the current market.   

"The fact that it depicts a lost local Wirral landmark is sure to have heightened interest in the painting."