AN 18th Century watercolour of Worcester by Thomas Rowlandson is expected to fetch up to £6,000 at auction today.

The picture, entitled Worcester, is a riverside scene, with sailing boats clustered at the quay and the Cathedral in the background.

Measuring just 6in by 16in, the pen drawing in grey and brown ink is heightened with touches of watercolour.

It raised £4,000 when it was last sold at Sotheby's in 1983 and it has a guide price of £4,000 to £6,000 for today's auction at the New Bond Street saleroom.

Rowlandson (1756-1827) was an outstanding artist, whose pictures can be seen in galleries across the UK.