CULTURE Secretary Chris Smith has praised an art gallery worker for helping to save a piece of British heritage with his campaign to bring the Thomas Moran masterpiece to Bolton.

The Minister sent his personal congratulations to Adrian Jenkins, Bolton's Senior Keeper of Art, for his efforts to achieve a major coup for the country.

His praise comes as art gallery chiefs put the finishing touches to a celebration party to thank all those involved in the major £1.5 million fund-raising campaign to bring Nearing Camp on the Upper Colorado River to Bolton.

TV personality Loyd Grossman and celebrity entrepreneur Ernest Hall will attend a special preview night tomorrow before the important painting finally goes on public display next week.

Mr Smith, who is charge of the National Lottery which helped Bolton raise £1.5 million to buy the work of art, praised everyone involved in stopping the important masterpiece crossing the Atlantic.

In a letter to Mr Jenkins he said: "It is always gratifying to learn of institutions that are willing to attempt to raise funds for such important items on behalf of the nation.

"That one of the country's smaller institutions was not deterred from the prospect of fund-raising for what may have appeared a prohibitive amount is, I feel, particularly encouraging.

"I am sure that Bolton's success was due in no small part to your considerable efforts. I'm sure the painting will bring much pleasure to all who see it." Council leader Bob Howarth said all involved in the campaign are looking forward to the exhibition which will also feature other works by Moran and his British influences, Turner and Ruskin. He said: "The exhibition will be a great source of pride for the people of Bolton and will attract people not just from the town but from farther afield.

"The landscape is one of his best works and I'm delighted we have been able to bring it home. After all Moran painted these works to be seen by people in this country."

A major publicity campaign was launched last year as campaigners raced against time to raise enough money to bring the work back to Moran's home town.

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