Experts are to probe how best to preserve a collection of paintings bequeathed to a council 23 years ago.

The 141 works-of-art in the Roebuck Collection, including a single sculpture, were left to Craven district council by Clement Roebuck of Langbar, Ilkley.

The survey will begin in April and is being funded with a £3,000 grant from the Pilgrim Trust, a charity which provides grants to preserve Britain’s heritage.

But before that, the collection will go on show at the Craven Museum in Skipton throughout the summer.

And visitors will be able to see how some of the restoration work could be carried out.

Later, the council hopes to raise enough funds to finance the restoration of the collection. At present only a small percentage is in a satisfactory condition.

Craven’s lead member for culture, Councillor Ken Hart, said: “Although some of its pictures have been exhibited at Craven museum, most have never been on display because of their poor condition.

“At the summer exhibition, visitors will be able to see the pictures before the conservation work starts and learn how individual picture restoration will be carried out.

“And it’s hoped that they will help staff choose the most popular pieces that will eventually go into a travelling exhibition,” he added. Clement Roebuck, who loved the Dales and lived for a time in Starbotton, near Skipton, insisted in his will that the collection be given a permanent home.

In recent years Craven Council has satisfied his wishes by holding a series of exhibitions.

Almost 60 paintings from collections have also been registered in the Public Catalogue Foundation, a catalogue of all oil paintings in the UK.