Disposing of a £50,000 painting donated to Newton Abbot almost a century ago would be like selling the family silver, the town council has been told.

The Hours, by Arthur Hacker RA, is housed in Newton Abbot Museum and was given to the town in 1928 by the artist's brother, Sidney, then a member of Newton Abbot Urban District Council.

Arthur Hacker was one of the most prominent artists of his generation with works hanging in The Tate and elsewhere.

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