Falmouth Art Gallery is in a race against time to save two masterpieces of national importance.

In a unique move, the gallery has joined up with Penlee House Gallery and Museum, in Penzance, in an attempt to stop the two paintings from leaving the country, most probably to go into private collections.

It is the first time in the country that two galleries have linked together in this way in a funding bid, which will total a staggering £111,660.

The two galleries have already raised 61 per cent of the sum, but they must find the remainder by March 31 or some of the allocated fund will be withdrawn and the bid will fail.

They now hope that the Heritage Lottery Fund will be able to speed up a decision over their potential grant, to cover the remaining figure.

Falmouth Art Gallery curator Brian Stewart said: "It is hoped that the Heritage Lottery Fund will be able to fast track the decision process. They are extremely helpful, but they also have a duty to ensure that financial safeguards are in place and time is running out - it is very much touch and go."

The two paintings in question are examples of the much sought-after "Newlyn style", which were produced from the internationally acclaimed Newlyn School of Art during the early 1900s.

If successful, Falmouth Art Gallery would receive a Sir Frank Brangwyn painting entitled Return of the Fishing Fleet as part of its collection, while Penlee Gallery hopes to add a Harold Harvey painting entitled In the Whiting Ground to its collection.

Although there have been cases where national museums have joined together to purchase and share a single work, this is the first time that two museums have made a joint bid for two complimentary works, to be used in a shared community programme celebrating the heritage of a specific area.

The project will include the training of volunteers and sharing of skills between the two galleries, for the benefit of the community.

The bid has the support of the National Art Collections Fund, the Victoria and Albert/Museum Libraries Archive Council Purchase Grant Fund and a large number of project partners, from Youth Clubs to Age Concern.