STAFF at a North-East museum are mourning the loss of a popular and highly skilled painting conservationist.

Richard Hobson, who worked at Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham died this week following a short illness. He was 59.

Mr Hobson joined Bowes Museum in 1973, after training in Gateshead, now the MA course in Conservation of Fine Art at the University of Northumbria.

He was renowned throughout the North-East for his skill both as a restorer and as a talented artist.

Joanna Hashagen, keeper of textiles at Bowes Museum, said: "He was a wonderful colleague and friend, and we're going to miss him a great deal."

In 2001, Mr Hobson was responsible for ensuring one of the museum's world famous Canaletto masterpieces was prepared for transportation to Venice, where it was to appear in a major international exhibition. He also restored a life-size portrait of baking powder magnate Joseph Lingford, in 1996, which hangs in Bishop Auckland Town Hall.

A portrait of Tow Law's founding father, Charles Attwood, which was badly damaged by soldiers who used it as target practice during the Second World War, was also restored by Mr Hobson, in 1994.

Many of Mr Hobson's own works were inspired by the industrial landscape of the North East.

He lived in Newcastle and through his painting documented the shipyards of the Tyne and their changes over the years.

The Bowes Museum is now hoping to organise an exhibition dedicated to Mr Hobson's work.

He leaves a wife, Pat, and son, Harry. His funeral takes place at Saltwell Crematorium, Gateshead, on Monday, at 10.30am.