The image of Keighley's favourite modern day historian will be preserved for the future -- through a portrait displayed in Keighley Reference Library.

Ian Dewhirst, who worked at the Library for 31 years, has been painted by an artist from Foulridge.

Mr Dewhirst said: "The artist, David Hoyle, contacted me.

"He knew of me through my appearance in the TV series The Dales Diary and had also heard me give talks in the Colne area.

"It is very well painted and it is nice both to be asked and for the library to display it. I suppose as I worked there for 31 years and as a local historian they thought I was fairly well established. It is all very flattering and I am thrilled.

"Mr Hoyle has painted it without a fee as a recompense for my having given talks around Colne for nothing."

The oil portrait is in full colour and is inscribed with "Ian Dewhirst, Librarian 1960 - 1991".

It is a head and shoulders portrait with Mr Dewhirst shown in a jumper and jacket against a moorland backdrop.

Books are symbolically featured in the portrait and Mr Dewhirst said: "I appear to be gazing ahead in a way which could be described as visionary or plain absent minded according to person's taste!"

The artist was born in Hessle East Riding and is no stranger to Keighley.

He attended Keighley Arts School before going on to study on a scholarship place at Leeds College of Art.

Mr Hoyle said: "I wanted to do the portrait because Ian has given so much pleasure to so many people with his talks and for no renumeration.

"I thought he deserved the same treatment."