There is a gap on the walls of the Assembly Rooms in Great Yarmouth Town Hall as George 1 has gone away for a clean and brush up.

A portrait of Britain’s first Hanoverian monarch, which has hung in the town hall for decades, was taken down in early June to be restored by Cambridge expert Julie Crick.

The art work was painted in oil on canvas and measures 5 feet x 9.

It was probably commissioned from an artist called Wordsdale when Great Yarmouth’s first town hall was built in 1715, and George 1 was on the throne of England.

The town hall was replaced, on the same site, by the present day building in 1880 - while the portrait has stayed as a reminder of that earlier era.

“The picture had some restoration work carried out in 1984,” explained Councillor Barry Stone, the man behind the project.

“Overall it is in pretty good condition and we want it to remain like that for the people of the Borough.

“We understand that the work will consist of removing an uneven layer of varnish which has made the monarch’s portrait appear very gloomy.

“Areas which need special attention will be over-painted and filled with appropriate materials. Then a final layer of protective varnish will be applied. This will not only preserve the work of art, but it will also conserve it.

“I would be extremely interested to hear if anyone knows anything about the portrait or the artist. Our research hasn’t turned up a great deal but it would be fascinating to learn more.”

The renovated picture is due to be re-hung in the Assembly Rooms later in the summer.

If anyone has any information about the picture or the artist, they can contact Councillor Stone on 01493 846354 or email bms@great-yarmouth.gov.uk