True identity of artwork unveiled

JMW Turner painted the watercolour more than 200 years ago

A man from Kent has helped rewrite the history books of art by discovering the true origin of a painting by Turner.

The watercolour by the famous artist was previously known as "The ruined tower of an abbey with a water gate".

However, on a visit to the Tate Britain gallery in London, Tim Harker, of West Malling, noticed that it was more like St Mary's Abbey in his home village.

He said: "Straight away I did a double take and thought I know exactly where that is... at the top of my road."

Tim Harker passes St Mary's Abbey in his home village every day

The caption under the artwork, painted in the 1790s, had previously said "whereabouts unknown", but after Mr Harker's discovery experts confirmed the painting's identity.

The painting is currently not on public display at the Tate, but can be viewed in the print room of the gallery.

Other watercolours by JMW Turner include images of Margate and an unfinished picture of a view from Dover.

Mr Harker, 54, passes St Mary's Abbey every day and said he only called in to the gallery to kill time before going to a meeting.