ANTIQUES enthusiast David Harper got more than he bargained for when he fell in love with a portrait in an art shop.

He spotted the picture of a mystery woman - believed to be a self-portrait - as he browsed around a shop in Barnard Castle, County Durham.

But unbeknown to David, who runs an Internet gift delivery service from his home in nearby Lartington, his picture held a 50-year-old secret.

For three years after he bought the portrait, he discovered a secret painting on the reverse side of the canvas, as he was moving into a new house.

He said: "I accidentally ripped the back covering as I was putting it up and saw some colour, so decided to tear the back off.

"To my amazement, I discovered a fantastic painting of Darlington Market Place, which I think dates from the 1940s."

But once David's curiosity had been aroused, he decided he would try to find out more about the painting.

In a bid to find out the identity of the artist, who has signed the painting either Ethel or Edith, and some of the characters in the picture, he has posted it on his website.

He said: "I want people to visit the website and help me unearth some facts about the painting. Moreover, it would be brilliant to track down some of the people in the painting."

David, who believes the painting could be worth thousands of pounds, will then auction it to raise money for a children's charity.

To see the painting, visit David's website at www.postagift.com, or call him on (01833) 650551