MORE than 20 watercolours by a North-east artist whose works were collected by royalty are to go under the hammer this month.

Paintings by the celebrated artist Frank Wood from his great nephew’s personal collection will go up for auction in Newcastle at a three-day sale starting on September 17.

Berwick-born Wood is famous for his marine, landscape and golfing pictures painted in the first half of the 20th Century, several of which hung on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

The collection is to go for sale at Anderson and Garland auction house in Newcastle.

Spokesman Jack Dudgeon said: "There should be a lot of interest. It’s not often you get so many at one time.

"As an artist Wood is well-collected. I’ve sold hundreds of his pictures over the years, individual ones making up to £4,500.

"Wood sent a drawing of Portsmouth Harbour to Edward VII and the Royal Yacht Britannia has four or five of his pictures hanging in its stateroom."

Wood, who also painted the German feet at Scapa Flow when it surrendered in 1918, lived and worked across the North East, Scotland and the southern English naval towns. He taught at art schools in Berwick, Hawick and Newcastle.