A major art exhibition in London could draw more tourists to the picturesque countryside on the Suffolk/Essex border.

The Victoria and Albert Museum is hosting Constable: The Making of a Master until January 11 next year which is based on the work of famous Suffolk artist John Constable.

Many of his paintings were landscapes of the Dedham Vale, a place now affectionately referred to as Constable Country which has been designated an area of outstanding natural beauty (AONB).

Those championing the location as a tourist attraction now hope the exhibition will encourage people from outside the region to visit and experience the scenes Constable painted at first hand.

As a result the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Project have produced a new guide to help visitors get the most out of their trip to the area.

Nigel Chapman, chairman of the Dedham Vale AONB and Stour Valley Joint Advisory Committee, and Colchester borough councillor for Fordham and Stour, said: “We welcome everyone to come and visit the places in the Dedham Vale AONB that inspired John Constable to create his most important paintings.

“The Constable: The Making of a Master exhibition and our own visitor guide are from this autumn onwards two wonderful ways of celebrating Constable Country and really help visitors and residents appreciate this enchanting and tranquil corner of England.”

You can get more information on the Constable: The Making of a Master exhibition by visiting www.vam.ac.uk/constableIt also includes details of the Constable artwork on display.

For more details on visiting the Dedham Vale or Stour Valley, visit www.dedhamvalestourvalley.org where you can read top tips for visiting the area on the Suffolk/Essex border and also download the new visitor guide.