A group of friends are paying tribute to a Norwich artist who was found dead in his flat aged 47 by staging an exhibition of his unseen work.

The work, which is now on show at Take Five in Tombland, Norwich, is a tribute to the life and work of Adie Porter.

Originally from Nottingham, Mr Porter moved to Norwich to take a degree in fine art painting at what was then the Norwich School of Art.

He remained in Norwich for the next 26 years, having found his true spiritual home, and was living in King Street when he died in April.

His former partner Claire Kidman, with whom he had two sons Tom, 13, and Ben, 10, said that while he had stored his pieces in boxes for many years, he was planning to hang them around his flat shortly before he died.

Many of his paintings were found standing against the walls of his living room after his death, she said.

Ms Kidman, who lives in Norwich, said that, while his later years were troubled, he left behind a large and loyal group of friends.

She said: 'He has also left behind a large collection of striking artwork; painted constructions of found wooden objects with intriguing and poignant titles such as 'Skylarker, 'Slate Pool' and 'Cathedralaise'.

'His work shows influences of abstract artists Hans Arp and Suffolk artist Margaret Mellis, and avant garde artist Ivan Puni.'

She said Mr Porter was an active participant in Norwich life, was involved in local politics, and volunteered for the Hawk and Owl Trust, enabling visitors to the cathedral to view the nesting sparrow hawks.

She added: 'Having a strong passion for natural history, he was a frequent visitor to Earlham cemetery, where he spent hours in the early morning watching the resident foxes, and the sparrow hawks.

'He was also very into music and was a big fan of Nottingham Forest FC.

'While he exhibited his work in the early 1990s, he had not exhibited for a while. However, I understand he was thinking of exhibiting again before he died, and had started drawing again.'

An inquest was opened in April and it heard that Mr Porter was reported missing on April 20. The conclusion of the inquest has not yet been held.

'Adie Porter: Lost and Found' is upstairs at Take 5, 17 Tombland, Norwich, finishing on Wednesday, September 25. Opening times: Monday to Saturday 11am to 11pm (open until midnight Friday and Saturday).