NEWPORT-born Hollywood actor Michael Sheen stopped off at the city’s Museum and Art Gallery today to officially unveil a restored portrait.

The portrait, of Sir Thomas Phillips, by artist George Richmond has been restored by the Friends of Newport Museum and Art Gallery, of which Sheen is a patron.

The actor spoke of the importance of making such items accessible to the people of Newport, but added that he hadn't imagined that he would one day be unveiling a portrait of Thomas Phillips, the man who fought against Newport's Chartists in 1839, when he was the town's mayor.

The actor also visited Gwent last month to film a BBC programme for the 175th anniversary of the Chartist march.

The hour-long programme, which is due to be aired next year, follows Mr Sheen along the route of the Chartist march to Newport in 1839.

Sheen earlier said about how “wonderful” the Newport Museum is and praised its works by Welsh artists and its Chartist exhibition.

He added: “The museum really is a credit to the city along with the Central library building that houses it.

“’Libraries gave us power’. Museums and libraries give access to knowledge for all, not just privileged few. And knowledge is power.”

The actor’s comments come after a library services review was published by Newport City Council which highlights that the closure of the city’s Central Library could help the council meet its library services budget cuts for 2015/16.

The review said that the council does not need to provide a central library under its statutory obligations but raised concerns about the future of the Newport Museum and Art Gallery which is also housed in the five-storey Central Library building in John Frost Square.