THE Government has has given the King of Bohemia further protection in Fordingbridge.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport has added the Augustus John statue to the List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest.

The bronze statue was sculpted by Ivor Roberts-Jones RA (1913-1996) who also sculpted the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square along with the Field Marshall Viscount Slim in Parliament Street in London.

Members of Fordingbridge Museum have welcomed the decision.

Manager Philippa Duckworth said: “We are delighted that the statue has been given protected status and is in the exalted company of such prestigious other sculptures.

"The statue is larger than life and full of energy and vitality reflecting John’s personality. We have an interesting exhibition on Augustus John in the museum and this was extended last year to include a whole new section about the statue.

"We hope that the announcement will inspire people to come and look at the exhibition when the museum reopens at Easter so that they can look on the statue with a renewed insight.”

A spokesman from Historic England said: "Listing helps us to mark a structure or building’s significance and celebrate its special architectural and historic interest. It brings specific protection so that its special interest can be properly considered in managing its future."

Of all the larger than life characters in the literary and art world at the dawn of the 20th century, Augustus John was the archetypal bohemian artist - wild and promiscuous.

But he was also considered the the top portrait painter of his generation, painting models, marchionesses and even the Queen Mother.

But when Augustus John arrived in Fordingbridge in 1927, it wasn't clear if he was more famous for his art or his love life - rumours say he fathered 100 children.

Julian Hewitt of the Fordingbridge Museum said: "John lived a notoriously bohemian lifestyle and had numerous affairs in his lifetime. He claimed he would pat the head of every child he met as he walked down the Kings Road in Chelsea just in case they were one of his."

John lived at Fryern Court until he died in 1961 at the age of 83. His common-law wife Dorelia, lived on at Fryern Court until she died in 1969.