A rare painting of a historic mansion in the town which was demolished during the Second World War has resurfaced in a Largs museum.

The painting is of Brisbane House, which was the home of generations of the Brisbane family, including noted soldier, astronomer and ex-governor of New South Wales in Australia, Sir Thomas Mackdougall Brisbane.

There is also rare video footage which exists of the former home filmed by cine camera before it came down in the 1940s that helps show the scale and height of the impressive building.

Local historian Richard Topping explained: "The work is called 'Brisbane House. Seat of Gen. Sir Thos. M. Brisbane, Bart', and it was kindly donated to the museum by Dr McCall Boyd, of Rothesay.

"The original was painted in 1845 by D M McKenzie W.S.A. This fine colour print was made by Allan and Ferguson lith, Glasgow.

"Although there are a few sketches and paintings of Brisbane House, this one is a bit unusual because it includes the observatory. What a truly impressive place it must have been."

Brisbane House was a mansion in the plain style introduced in the 17th century. 

The Brisbane family home was built in 1636 by the Kelso family and acquired by the Brisbanes in 1671.

Sir Thomas Brisbane was born and died in Largs and helped found the Australian city named after him whilst he was the governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825 - with big moves taking place to boost the links between Largs and Brisbane ahead of the Summer Olympics coming to Brisbane in 2032.

Brisbane House remained occupied by the family until 1932. The house was put on the market but remained unsold and unoccupied until it was purchased by John McKellar Robertson, of Noddsdale, Largs, in 1938.

The roof was subsequently removed to avoid paying rates and in 1939 the house was listed as derelict.

Brisbane House was demolished in 1942 by No. 3 Commando Unit as an exercise while they were training in Largs.

All that remains today are some wall fragments and the wine cellar, and some of the tiled vestibule floor. The front door of Brisbane House, however, has been preserved. In 1939, the building was being vandalised and Mr Robertson employed the firm of Mackie and Fearn of Largs to remove all the timber.

William Mackie saved the door and kept it at the firm's workshop. Later, when Mackie and Feran were closing down, he gave it to Largs Burgh.

In 1958, the then-provost sent the door to Australia and it is now on display in Brisbane City Hall.

The picture is hanging in Largs Museum, just above the Brisbane display cabinet, and is open from Thursday to Sunday from 1.30pm to 4.30pm. It is based in Kirkgate Close, between The George bar and The Great Outdoor shop.