A portrait of Porthleven’s Second World War hero Guy Gibson is going “home” after a number of decades – provided the family who gifted it are happy.

The painting was originally given to Helston Borough Council by a family in Holland, to mark where Dambusters hero Wing Commander Gibson was killed when his aeroplane was shot down in 1944. When the borough council was split into separate Helston and Porthleven town councils the painting remained in Helston – despite WC Gibson largely being considered a “son” of the port, where his family lived and he spent many summers.

A copy, commissioned in 1993, now hangs in the mayor’s chamber in the Guildhall, after the original was damaged by vandals.

Now the mayor of Porthleven, Daniel Williams, has written to Helston asking for both paintings and other memorabilia relating to WC Gibson to be returned to the port.

Mayor Mike Thomas told a meeting of Helston Town Council last week: “It’s my view that the portrait should be in Porthleven. It’s a portrait of a very close person to the people of Porthleven.”

He proposed that both paintings, together with other associated memorabilia, be handed over to Porthleven Town Council.

Councillor Ronnie Williams was among the members agreeing, saying: “They have made an effort to keep that man and the work he’s done alive.”

And, referring to the historical rivalry between the two towns, he joked: “Over the period of time now we have relaxed a little in the relations between Helston and Porthleven.”

Members voted in favour of transferring the items, provided the Dutch benefactors or their family were happy, and the items were kept in a secure place.