AN iconic painting inspired by a Dylan Thomas radio drama has been put back on display in Newport to celebrate the centenary since the poet's birth.

The painting, entitled Llaregyb, is one of the first works by renowned Welsh artist David Griffiths, inspired by the Thomas radio play Under Milk Wood, written in 1954.

Mr Griffiths first submitted the piece for exhibition at the 1958 Ebbw Vale Eisteddfod, where it was bought by Newport Museum and Art Gallery.

It spent 50 years gathering dust at the museum before Cardiff-based Mr Griffiths visited the museum in 2008 and asked to see it.

The museum spent £1,200 restoring it and have previously used it in an exhibition in 2010.

Since the first broadcast of Under Milk Wood, which tells the tale of the residents of the fictional Welsh village of Llareggub, the play has been adapted as a stage play, opera and a film starring Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor.

Mr Griffiths said: "The painting is of its time. It was probably one of the first paintings inspired by Under Milk Wood. This puts Newport on the map as Newport owns it.

"I think it's terrific. It's marvellous to share that image again and that it's out of storage."

The portrait artist went on to paint well-known public figures such as the Prince of Wales, Enoch Powell, Barry John and Joe Calzaghe.

Llaregyb, which was bought for £73 and 10 shillings in 1958, is now thought to be worth 100 times its original price.

Mr Griffiths has also teamed up with Cardiff’s Albany Gallery to produce limited edition prints of the 3ft by 4ft painting.

The painting will be on display at Newport Museum and Art Gallery until the end of the year.