Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery hopes to buy £1m portrait

Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery is hoping to secure a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to keep a painting by artist Sir Joshua Reynolds in the city.

The portrait of Dr John Ash, thought to be worth £1m, is being sold by the Queen Elizabeth Hospital to help fund a new cancer treatment.

Dr Ash founded the city's first hospital in the 18th Century.

Chris Rice, from the gallery, said the portrait's connection with the history of Birmingham was "fundamental to the city".

The gallery has raised £150,000, while the Heritage Lottery Fund is due to make a decision on its bid on 7 June.