HUNDREDS of extraordinary paintings by a deceased artist have been lovingly preserved by his family and are now going to auction.

Antoni Sulek, originally from Poland, was a visionary artist who produced hundreds of paintings from an early age until his untimely death aged just 37 in 1988.

The collection documented the story of the Sulek family as they moved from war-torn Poland to the peace of rural Northumberland and the adventures they experienced in between.

He did not concern himself with the material aspects of life. Antoni said: "Life is too short. My paintings will last long. Why worry about life?"

Now, the second stage of The Sulek Collection will go to auction as part of the Modern Art and Design Auction on January, 27.

His artwork ranged from landscapes and portraiture to abstract compositions, drawing on his love for his ancestral land and experience of growing up in Morpeth.

Following the death of his father last year, the family are now offering his archive for sale through Anderson and Garland Auctioneers.

Paintings range in price with the previous auction seeing some paintings sold at £350.

The Sulek Collection has already generated interest from buyers across the world.