Warrington artist's work is returned after three years

Neil Roland created 26 pieces of artwork that included photography from in and around Warrington, Liverpool, and Manchester.

His artworks were hung in a restaurant in the town centre - Smoke - but when the restaurant closed in 2019, Neil's work went missing.

Neil's artwork was hung in the restaurant until its closure in 2019 (Image: Newsquest)

Following enquiries and investigations made by the Warrington Guardian, Mr Roland confirmed that - as of Wednesday, September 28 - he had been reunited with his artwork.

When first hung in Smoke, the artworks were valued by Mr Roland at around £14,000.

The restaurant was in the Treasury Building, on Palmyra Square in the centre of Warrington, and Mr Roland's work was hung on a 'sale or return' basis.

This deal meant that his paintings were hung with price tags, allowing people to purchase them - if they were not sold, the deal was that they would be returned to him.

Mr Roland spent three years trying to get his paintings back from those involved in closing down Smoke, to no avail - claiming that the solicitor for the involved parties was very unhelpful.

Neil created 26 pieces of artwork to be hung in the restaurant (Image: Newsquest)

As soon as enquiries were made by the Warrington Guardian, the solicitor ensured the wheels began turning for Mr Roland's artwork to be returned to him.

Neil said: "At 4:45pm [on September 28], I received a call from the restaurant that took over from Smoke to say the artworks had all arrived.

"They all had damage to their frames, some had smashed glass, but I decided to ignore that. All but two have been returned."

Neil's artwork was hung with price tags, which valued the collection at nearly £15,000 (Image: Newsquest)

Neil added: "None of this could have been achieved without your help - it is hardly a coincidence that the solicitor called as soon as the article was printed!"