A DISPUTE between a first-time collector from Thornbury, who claimed he was sold a fake artwork, and an auction house has been partially resolved.

Richard Smith, of St David's Road, bought a painting by Julian Trevelyan at Wotton Auction Rooms for £600 back in March 2012, but was later told by experts, he alleged, that it was not a bonafide piece by the 20th century artist and poet.

Although adamant that the painting was not a fake, the auctioneers agreed to reimburse Mr Smith £500, deducting £100 from the original sum because Mr Smith had cut the oil painting out of its original sealed frame.

The firm has now sold the artwork to the second highest bidder at the 2012 auction.

Mr Smith told the Gazette: "I managed to sort it out. They were still adamant that it was real but they took it back and they've paid me my money. It's all water under the bridge."

Despite having reached an agreement with Mr Smith, auctioneer Philip Taubenheim said he wished to set the record straight once and for all.

"The picture was not a fake," he said. "The auction rooms stands behind its attribution of the picture, as it has done all along."

He added: "The underbidder of the painting is also convinced that the painting is by Julian Trevelyan and has agreed to purchase it from Mr Smith, with an allowance for the fact that Mr Smith had sadly devalued it by removing it from its original 1960s frame."