A DRAMATIC painting depicting one of the North-East's most famous heroine's has surfaced at auction.

The picture shows Grace Darling's historic rescue of nine people from a paddle steamer wrecked on the Farne Islands, off the North-East coast, during a storm.

It is being offered for sale from a private collection by Bonhams, in Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, on Thursday.

The 1890 painting is by little- known artist Emile Boussier and is expected to fetch £2,000.

Grace, from Bamburgh, Northumberland, became a living legend at 22 after fearlessly accompanying her father, William, keeper of the Longstone lighthouse, to save survivors from SS Forfarshire when the 192-ton vessel hit rocks on a tempestuous September morning 1838.

The bad weather continued for several days, during which time the Darling family housed and fed the 18 survivors and seven exhausted lifeboatmen.

During inquests for the 43 known to have perished in the wreck, the full story of Grace's heroism emerged and she was besieged with gifts and the attentions of the world's media.

Queen Victoria awarded her £50, Lloyds gave her £20 and pretty soon she had amassed the small fortune of £750, which was held in trust by the Duke of Northumberland.

Published: 06/12/2004