The picture was created on one of the artist's visits to Cumbria

The picture is going on display at the Co-op store, in Cleator Moor, Cumbria, on Monday.

The pastel, entitled The Co-op, Market Square, depicts a typical Cumbrian scene and was created by the artist on one of his regular visits to the area.

The company bought the painting for �35,000 when it was sold at auction by Christie's in November.

Suzanne Heron from the Co-op said: "When it came up for sale it was felt that we didn't want it to go into a private collection.

"It was a piece of Co-op history and we wanted to make sure it was still accessible to our customers."

'Borrowed pastels'

The painting will be on display at the shop in Cleator Moor on Monday and will then be moved to The Beacon's Harbour Gallery at Whitehaven until Sunday.

Ms Heron said: "I think it will certainly bring art to the public in a way that doesn't normally happen.

"I think people who perhaps wouldn't normally go to an art gallery will get a chance to see it. It will be interesting to see what the reaction is."

Lowry created the painting on one of his regular visits to Cumbria.

Ms Heron said: "He had quite a lot of friends in Cumbria, especially in the Cleator Moor area. In particular he was friends with a Carlisle pastor, the Reverend Bennett, and the Rev Bennett's family had an estate near Cleator Moor.

"And it was while he was on a visit there. Allegedly he borrowed pastels from Geoffrey Bennett's son and made this piece of work."