A TREASURED work of art from one of the region's museums is featured in a new television series by the BBC.

The painting, Tears of St Peter, by the 16th Cenutury artist El Greco, will be part of the BBC's Painting the Weather exhibition and TV series, which features classic works of art that depict a variety of weather conditions.

With the National Gallery, the BBC has already screened the series on its BBC Four digital channel and will repeat it on BBC Two next month.

The TV series features in-depth commentary on 15 works by the director of the National Gallery and weatherman Bill Giles. One of the works featured is the painting by El Greco, which is part of the collection at Bowes Museum, in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

The museum was chosen with 49 museums and galleries to produce the exhibition and TV series, which also features works by Constable, Van Gogh and Turner.

Assistant keeper of fine art Amy Barker, said: "The museum is delighted that the BBC and the National Gallery have chosen a painting from our collection to feature in this new innovative exhibition.

"The Tears of St Peter is a stunning work, featuring dramatic weather conditions. The lightning flash in the background emphasises the turbulent mood of the saint in the foreground.

"The weather is a great subject to base an exhibition on and the inclusion of our painting makes it an even more exciting project."

The Painting by Weather exhibition is available through the BBC's interactive service for digital viewers, or by visiting the www.bbc.co.uk/paintingtheweather website.