A Belgian artist who settled in Hitchin after fleeing the First World War is the subject of a new free exhibition at North Herts Museum.

Painting with light – the art of Gerard Ceunis runs from Saturday 3 October to Sunday 6 December, bringing together landscapes and local scenes by an artist with strong links to the town.

Born in Ghent in 1884, Ceunis arrived in Hitchin at the outbreak of the First World War. He was among thousands of Belgian refugees who came to Britain following Germany's invasion of Belgium in August 1914.

Nearby Letchworth Garden City was one of the country's principal centres for Belgian refugees.

Ceunis became a familiar figure in Hitchin, opening Maison Gerard, a successful women's clothing shop in the Market Place.

His paintings reflected his roots in Belgian Impressionism, particularly the movement known as Luminism, which explored the changing effects of light at dawn and dusk and on water.

The exhibition will feature oil paintings of local scenes from the museum's collection, alongside rarer works loaned from a private family collection.

An illustrated booklet by Rosamond Allwood and Martin Robb will also go on sale in the museum shop from 3 October, featuring new research, family photographs and insights into Ceunis' life and career.

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Belgian Ambassador Jeroen Cooreman will attend a private view in October as guest of honour. The visit echoes an occasion in 1930, when the then-Belgian Ambassador officially opened an exhibition of Ceunis' work in London.

Cllr Tamsin Thomas, North Herts Council's executive member for enterprise, said: "We are delighted to showcase the work of Gerard Ceunis, an artist with a special place in Hitchin's history.

"It's a privilege to welcome His Excellency Jeroen Cooreman, Ambassador of his Majesty the King of the Belgians, to mark the occasion - a fitting echo of the artist's historic 1930 London show.

"We look forward to inviting visitors to discover this fascinating legacy."

North Herts Museum, on Brand Street, Hitchin, is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10.30am to 4.30pm, and Sundays from 11am to 3pm.

Admission to both the museum and exhibition is free. The museum also has a café serving drinks, snacks and light meals.

For more information, visit the North Herts Museum website or call 01462 474554.