Harking back to the town's fishing heyday, it is a striking sight that has long greeted visitors driving into the centre of King's Lynn.

But the lovingly named 'grand sign' outside the fisherfolk museum True's Yard has been missing from its spot for more than a year.

The painting, which features a smack from the Lynn fishing fleet, returned to its rightful place yesterday and was revealed by Sir Jeremy Bagge, who unveiled the artwork for the first time more than 10 years ago.

Town historian Dr Paul Richards said: 'The sign welcomes people into King's Lynn and is a work of art in its own right. It calls people to our museum and it's a call to our rich heritage. We are so pleased to have it back, especially on the museum's silver jubilee year.'

The sign was peeling and partly rotting when it was taken down in October 2014.

But it was returned to the safe hands of painter-illustrator Bob Larking who bought the artwork back to its former glory.

Mr Larking, of North Elmham, said: 'I think it's a great honour to be asked to produce a piece of public art and I am very warmed by the fact people have taken it into their hearts and it has become a bit of a local landmark.'

The 62-year-old said to the untrained eye the painting looked exactly as it did before, but from an artists' point of view subtle changes could be spotted.