A rare painting by a Flemish artist makes a welcome return to the walls of Lowther Castle - 70 years after it taken away.

The painting, A Concert of Birds by a Pond, by Frans Snyders, was removed from the castle in 1947 as part of one of the largest country house sales ever to happen in Britain.

Lowther was stripped bare, with every painting and object put under the hammer, scattering an extraordinary family collection. However some remarkable objects remained in family hands, including the famous painting.

The painting has been reinstated in the castle’s newly revamped cafe, only yards from where it hung originally in the Lowther picture gallery.

Castle owner Jim Lowther said: "It is fantastic to see one of Lowther’s most precious artefacts returned to the castle, restored to its former glory.

"The painting is Snyders’ most ambitious composition of wild birds; an enormous piece overflowing with wonderful detail. It looks stunning in the new cafe space and we hope our visitors will enjoy it."

'A Concert of Birds' was a favourite theme of Snyders.

He was a keen follower of the Franciscan religious order and the birds are a symbolic representation of St Francis of Assisi. Snyders returned to the theme frequently, and four of these paintings in various forms hang at El Prado in Madrid.

Visitors will be able to view the painting when Lowther's historic castle and gardens reopens to the public on Monday.

It has been closed for two months to allow work on redesigning the stable courtyard as well as extending an existing play area, that will also include a brand new party space for families.

The refurbishment is part of a £1m commitment from the Lowther Estate to secure the caste's future as a "world class" tourism destination.

Dan Pearson, multi-award-winning garden designer, has planted the courtyard with 32 square and column-pruned topiary hornbeams, arranged in a broken grid.