A PAINTING which depicts one of Warrington's most famous sons will form the centrepiece of a new exhibition.

Legendary fashion designer Ossie Clarke, who grew up in Orford, and his then-wife Celia were captured by close friend David Hockney at the height of his career.

Careful negotiations with the picture's owners, the London-based Tate Gallery, have now resulted in them releasing one of their most popular and valuable works to Warrington Museum.

Deputy Archives and Heritage Manager Cherry Gray said: "We are extremely lucky to get this painting. The Tate Gallery gets requests from all over the world for this picture and they are very particular about the quality of the exhibitions they lend it to.

"We would be very interested to hear from anyone who might have a dress by Clarke or a memory of him when he was at school or when he lived in Orford.

"This is going to be a fantastic exhibition because it will feature some wonderful costumes. There is a vast amount of work and preparation going into this - we want to get the full story."

The picture, entitled Mrs and Mrs Clarke, which also features their pet dog Percy, will be backed by costumes donated by his ex-wife Celia Birtwell.

Museum staff are also in discussion with ex-Beatle George Harrison's wife Pattie Boyd, who has examples of Clarke's designs and is prepared to loan them out.

Famed for his flamboyant style, Clarke produced Rolling Stone Mick Jagger's first jump suit and he was a contemporary of Zandra Rhodes.

But it was in Warrington that his fascination for art was first fostered. Arriving in the town aged seven to live in Sandy Lane, he later attended Beamont Technical College.

His fledgling talent was spotted by an art master there and he was persuaded to attend Saturday courses at Warrington College of Art in Museum Street.

Researchers are in contact with his niece, Margaret Clementson, who still lives in the Warrington area. Clarke lived in the town until the late 60s and died in August 1996.

Clarke's controversial diaries are set to be serialised in a national newspaper later this year.

The museum exhibition is scheduled for October 1999 and will run into the year 2000.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.