Lilie Forrester recognised the painting was of herself

Lilie Forrester, from Fife, had completely forgotten about the artwork, which was painted in the 50s.

She has now bought the piece by Fife artist TS Halliday.

Mrs Forrester, a retired art teacher, paid �170 for the work after spotting it at the Rait Antiques Centre in Perthshire last week.

I was astounded and speechless Lilie Forrester

She said: "I was heading for Dundee with a friend but decided at the last minute to go and look round the antiques centre.

"I saw the portrait and said to my friend 'That looks a wee bit like me'.

"She then pointed out it had my name on it.

"I was astounded and speechless. It is an amazing coincidence."

Mrs Forrester was aged about 18 years old when the portrait was done.

Well-known painter

It was painted when she was a student in Dundee and stayed with her aunt and uncle in the nearby village of Wormit.

Mr Halliday was their neighbour and Mrs Forrester agreed to sit for him.

Staff at the antiques centre are now trying to trace where the portrait has been for the last 50 years.

Lynda Templeman, the centre's assistant manager, said: "When the lady came in and saw the painting she just about fell over on the spot."

TS Halliday was a well-known painter and sculptor during the 1950s and 60s.