A private collector has stepped in to buy a painting from a local school after it failed to sell earlier at auction at Sotheby's.

Collector Jerry Davies - who said the painting was a bargain - paid in excess of �170,000 for the painting.

It was originally bought for the school in Torfaen for less than �1,000 has failed to sell at a Sotheby's auction.

The painting was expected to go under the hammer for about �200,000.

The Victorian work of art was being auctioned in London but it failed to reach its reserve price and bidding only reached �170,000.

For more than 40 years, the Daughters of Eve by George Dunlop Leslie had hung on the walls of Llantarnam Comprehensive School.

Little thought was given its value and it was tucked away in a corner.

Headteacher David Kitchen said it was bought by the architect who built the school after he underspent on the project.

He was delighted when art experts revealed its true worth.

A good price

The local education authority has told the school that it can use the money to construct new classrooms.

"This school was built for 1,200 pupils and we currently have 1,350," he said.

"We do need an extra six to eight classrooms and it would make such a difference to the pupils."

Sotheby's said it was considered to be one of his finest works.

George Dunlop Leslie (1835-1921) produced notable paintings including Two Women With Sunflowers, The Deserted Mill and - rather appropriately - Kept in School.