A painting previously withdrawn from auction will finally go under the hammer after experts confirmed they believe it is linked to the Bronte sisters.

The painting (pictured) was due to be the third in a hat-trick of items concerning the three literary siblings to be sold by the same auctioneer.

But the watercolour, believed to be painted by Sir Edwin Landseer, was withdrawn from the sale last month while auctioneers tried to track down a similar work by the same artist to check its links.

The Landseer painting will go under the hammer without reserve Thursday.