Southampton arts bosses are set to unveil "Red Movement" the controversial piece of modern art bought by the city for £250,000.

Last year, the Daily Echo revealed how arts chiefs were due to pay out a quarter of a million pounds for the painting by 1960s artist Bridget Riley.

They hailed the purchase of the painting as a coup for the city but questions were raised whether they should be spending so much money on the work when only a fraction of Southampton's 3,000 paintings worth around £130m were ever seen in public.

Director of the Tate Gallery Sir Nicholas Serota will be presenting the painting at a ceremony due to take place at Southampton Art Gallery next Thursday.

Cash to pay for the painting has come from bequests and grants - notably £130,000 from the former curtator of the Tate Gallery, Dr David Brown.

The rest of the money will come from government art organisation The Art Fund which is paying out £80,000 and the Victoria and Albert Museum.

Southampton City Council Cabinet member for leisure and culture Councillor Steve Sollitt said: "Southampton is proud to own one of the finest public contemporary art collections in the country and I hope many people from near and far will come and see "Red Movement" alongside our inspiring programme of displays and exhibitions."