AN exhibition bringing together some of the best works of one Britain's greatest painters is to open next month.

The exhibition at Petworth House will showcase the paintings inspired by JMW Turner's many visits to Sussex.

The 40 paintings include some at Tate Britain, the British Museum and in the hands of private and regional owners.

On display from January 12 to March 13 2013 at Petworth's newly refurbished exhibition gallery, the works will include a pencil sketch of Petworth House made by Turner in 1809 as well the finished oil painting he made from it.

The exhibition will also display views of Arundel, Ashburnham, Rye and Hastings as well as rarely seen works portraying Brighton, Chichester, Lewes and Shoreham.

Turner, who lived from 1775 to 1851, was a frequent visitor to Petworth House where some of his work is on permanent display.

Andy Loukes, the house and collections manager at Petworth House and the curator of the Turner's Sussex exhibition, said: ``The volume and range of subject matter which inspired Turner in Sussex was extraordinary and it's extremely exciting to bring so many examples together at Petworth.''