A RENOWNED former art fraudster was welcomed by people in Bridport when he made a guest appearance at a gallery.

William ‘Billy’ Mumford - aka Billy the Brush - who was jailed for forgery and is now a reformed character, visited the Global Arts Gallery at the weekend.

Mr Mumford was visiting his old friend James Hartey who opened the gallery at St Michael's Trading Estate earlier this year. Mr Mumford's work is heavily featured at the gallery, alongside both modern and vintage art.

People came out to meet Mr Mumford and browse his works, with around 60 previous purchasers of his works popping in to see him.

Mr Hartey said: "It was a really fabulous occasion. The people of Bridport really took him in, they loved him.

"He's such a character, people were overjoyed with some of the comments he came out with.

"People were coming down and making purchases and then coming back the next day to meet Billy and ended up buying more.

"There was some big money people who bought some massive pieces, one spent £2,500 on a five-foot by three-foot 'Lowry-style' picture."

The two also went for a walk around the town where Mr Mumford was very well received.

Mr Hartey added: "Billy really enjoyed himself and getting to interact with all these people. It brought out so many people to the gallery and they were so complimentary.

"Billy had a great time and is really up for another visit now. We want to get food and drink going and make a proper evening of it, hopefully around November time."

Mr Hartey wrote a biography on Mr Mumford, 'Billy Mumford: The world's most prolific art forger'.

After previously selling 17 of the books in a year, he has sold 180 in two months in Bridport.