Lowry's paintings are rising in price

The 13 pieces, valued at half a million pounds, are believed to be the largest Lowry collection ever seen at an antiques fair in Britain.

Among the works for sale are industrial drawings and an oil painting of children valued at �250,000.

Lowry, from Salford, Gtr Manchester, is best known for his work showing stick figures against industrial backgrounds.

'Greatest painter'

All the pieces, which will be on sale at the National Exhibition Centre from Wednesday, have been authenticated and are being sold by David Smith of the Derbyshire-based gallery Neptune Fine Art.

Price tags range from �14,000 to �250,000.

Duncan Phillips, who organised the arts fair, said: "Lowry is now regarded as Britain's greatest 20th-century painter.

"His subject matter captures the spirit of industrial Britain in the mid-20th century like no other and his pictures are rising in price rapidly."

He added: "The seller here has bought and sold the same piece of Lowry art three times and it has risen in value from �800 to �120,000 in the space of 12 years."

Mr Phillips said there had already been a lot of interest and customers would be coming from across the country to see the various drawings and oil paintings.