15064/2ART dealer Richard Matthews is appealing for help in identifying the location of a scene in a painting.

Mr Matthews, of Potterne near Devizes, bought the painting purely because Devizes is mentioned in the title but he has been unable to find where the scene refers to.

The oil painting features a boy and girl on a punt on a waterway. Close by is a spillway and a wooden bridge. By the river's edge is what appears to be a mill and in the distance a hill.

The painting is entitled River near Devizes and is by British Victorian artist Richard W Halfnight who was born in Sunderland in 1855 and died in 1925.

Mr Matthews has spent hours travelling along the Kennet and Avon Canal trying to find the spot featured in the painting but with no success.

He is now offering £200 to whoever can provide him with information, which can be authenticated, on the location. He said: "My intention is to sell the painting and I think it will have more value if it has a local connection."

Mr Matthews bought the painting at an auction in Washington, USA.

Mr Matthews said: "I have been as far west as Semington on the canal and as far east as Pewsey but have not found the location. I thought the hill looked like Roundway Down and people who use the canal told me various locations which I have gone to but to no avail."

He has visited 20 locations and has been to the canal trust offices and the Wiltshire Heritage Museum but all in vain.

Mr Matthews concedes the painting may have been mistakenly labelled as Devizes.

Anyone with information on the painting is asked to email Mr Matthews at rts.matthews@care4free. net.