Bingley-born actor Rodney Bewes is selling 18 paintings by late artist Peter Brook, a friend of Mr Bewes whose work is experiencing a surge in popularity.

Mr Bewes, best known as Bob Ferris from “The Likely Lads” and “Whatever happened to the Likely Lads” will sell the paintings at auction next month.

Born in the Pennine village of Scholes, near Holmfirth, Mr Brook spent much of his life living in Yorkshire, and worked as a teacher in Brighouse before becoming a professional artist. He died in 2009.

His paintings, inspired by the Yorkshire landscape and mill industries, are part of a wave of “Northern Art” currently popular with collectors.They are up for auction in Bonhams Chester on December 5.

Mr Bewes first met the artist in the 1960s after being introduced by fellow actor Tom Courtenay. They bonded over a shared affection for the Pennine hills, the mill towns of the West Riding and the Yorkshire people, and over the following years bought several of his paintings.

He also brought the world of showbiz to Brook, introducing him to Huddersfield-born film actor James Mason. Mason became an admirer and collector of the painter’s work, buying about 30 paintings which decorated the actor’s homes in Hollywood and Switzerland.

The paintings up for auction carry estimates between £1,500 and £7,000, and are expected to sell for over £50,000 in total.

Richard Hopkinson, Bonhams Picture Specialist, said: “The collection is a tribute to a mutual friendship and an admiration of the best of Yorkshire. The towns and countryside changed enormously during Peter Brook’s life, but his paintings have a timeless quality. It is a privilege to include these beautifully expressive paintings in a Bonhams sale.”

He said many collectors were just discovering the great Northern Artists of the past 50 years, adding: “He is an artist whose paintings have become really saleable in the past four or five years. We are seeing a lot more interest in his work, along with other artists from Northern areas like Manchester and Yorkshire.”

Mr Bewes recently hit the headlines for objecting to a planning application by George Harrison’s widow Olivia to install razor wire around her Oxfordshire home, near where he currently lives. Objections from neighbours and Henley Town Council forced Mrs Harrison to drop the plans earlier this week.