Rugby’s new art gallery will open its doors to the public next week to complete a trio of new developments in the town.

It follows hot on the heels of the opening of the museum last month and the library in March. They are all housed in the same new building in Little Elborow Street.

To mark the opening on Tuesday 16 May, the Rugby Collection of modern British art will return home to an exhibition called “Re-union”.

On display until 2 September will be work by artists include Stanley Spencer, Percy Wyndham Lewis, LS Lowry, Paula Rego and Barbara Hepworth.

The exhibition includes choices by a number of personalities including rugby commentator Cliff Morgan, former Blue Peter presenter Peter Purves and Rugby athlete Katharine Merry.

It is the first time that the collection will have gone on display in its home town for 15 years. It has previously been based at the Mead gallery at Warwick University.

Plans are to exhibit the collection at regular intervals to allow future generations to enjoy the work.

Special furniture for the gallery has been commissioned from local maker Andrew Varah.

Rugby borough Council chief executive Diane Colley said:

”For many people in Rugby this will be their first opportunity to see the Rugby collection.

“I think that they will be surprised and delighted by the quality and variety or works.

“We have dreamed of bringing the collection back to Rugby for many years and this is a wonderful way to celebrate the millennium – we now have a superb facility for everyone to enjoy.”

She added:

“The Art Gallery itself is on the second floor of the building and is very light and spacious.

“It also has great views over Rugby and on a clear day you can see for miles.“