Bradford-born artist David Hockney (pictured) has told how his grief over the shock death of his young assistant earlier this year caused him to stop work on a project to document the changing seasons in the east Yorkshire wolds.

The 75-year-old, who has made Bridlington his main home, said the sudden death of Dominic Elliott, 23, in March left him wondering whether he should return to Los Angeles.

Mystery remains about the death of Mr Elliott. A post-mortem examination has found “no obvious natural causes” and an inquest has been adjourned until August. Mr Hockey told the newspaper that it had been an “awful time” but he had been persuaded to continue his work.