A portrait of chart-topping rapper Stormzy is set to be displayed in Croydon on loan from a historic gallery.

The photograph of the Thornton Heath grime MC is being lent to the Croydon Central Library as part of Coming Home, a new initiative from the National Portrait Gallery to bring portraits of 50 iconic individuals to their communities.

The image was taken by Olivia Rose, the photographer behind This is Grime, a book telling the history of the genre. It shows the world-famous rapper alongside his mum, Abigail Owuo.

Olivia Rose said: "It was a real honour to see Stormzy talk at Oxford University that day, he's such a humble and brilliant guy and it was just so dreamy to see his mum get to be a part of it.

"I've always felt close to Stormzy and the team and it means the world to me that I've been able to document some of these special moments.

"We shot the portrait after lunch in a local 'ye olde' style pub and spent the afternoon with Abigail telling us stories of him as a kid."

The exhibition will be officially opened tomorrow on Tuesday June 4 from 2-3pm in the Exhibition Gallery, Museum of Croydon on Katharine Street.

It will feature an installation by Thornton Heath artist PINS, inspired by the portrait and exploring the theme of home, on display until September 28.

PINs said: “Croydon...my home, Stormzy's home, our home.

"For us, family, self-belief, passion, and community, have enriched us both internally and externally.

"Using these foundations, we have shaped our paths, brick by brick.”

The National Portrait Gallery has been collecting portraits of men and women who have made a significant contribution to British life and history since 1856.

Through Coming Home, the institution will be working with local museums, galleries and other venues to lend portraits that are special to them, providing communities across the country the opportunity to celebrate their local heroes.

Dr Nicholas Cullinan, Director of the National Portrait Gallery, said: “We are excited that this portrait of Stormzy and his mother, Abigail Owuo, which was recently acquired for our collection, will be shown in his hometown of Croydon this summer.

"We hope that sending portraits ‘home’ in this way will foster a sense of pride and create a personal connection for local communities to a bigger national story; thus helping us to fulfil our aim of being truly a national gallery for everyone, in our role as the nation’s family album.”