A portrait of Porthleven’s most famous son Guy Gibson could be “home” for Christmas.

The port’s mayor Daniel Williams said he still hoped the transfer could be made this year after Helston Town Council agreed to hand it over, together with a second, damaged portrait and other memorabilia.

The paintings had been among the Helston council collection ever since the two towns split from being a borough council.

Porthleven has been trying to have them transferred for many years, arguing that Second War World hero Wing Commander Gibson, who flew in the Dam Busters raid, had much more connection to the port where his family lived.

Mr Williams said he had spoken to Helston mayor Mike Thomas and the two were now working out a date for a presentation to take place.

Mr Williams said: “We were hoping to do it before Christmas – we’ll have to see now.”

He added that the paintings and memorabilia would be kept in the council offices for the time being, as a condition of the transfer was that they would be kept in a secure place.