Its rolling hills have provided inspiration for much of David Hockney’s work.

But the artist’s fondness for Bridlington, East Yorkshire, the seaside town that he has made his home, has clearly got its limits.

Hockney, 75, has snubbed council plans to grant him the freedom of the town, ignoring several attempts to make contact and ascertain his interest.

Proposals to change the name of a gallery to The David Hockney Gallery have also been ditched due to a failure to raise a response from the notoriously reclusive artist.

Nigel Pearson, chief executive of Bridlington and that East Riding of Yorkshire Council, has written to colleagues informing them that their plans were unlikely to come to fruition. n the tu

"Unfortunately, we have not been able to obtain any response from Mr Hockney regarding the renaming of a gallery at The Spa or indeed in relation to the granting of the Freedom of Bridlington and I have to conclude therefore that this is something which does not appeal to him,” he wrote.

"Should there be any change I will, of course, let you know."

Hockney, who was born in Bradford, is credited with bringing worldwide publicity to Bridlington. Many of the works shown at his eponymously named Royal Academy of Arts exhibition last year featured scenes from the surrounding countryside.

But plans to rename a gallery in his honour were spawned when Hull City Council drew up its own proposals to open a gallery celebrating his work.

The decision sparked a tug-of-war about who should be allowed to cash in on the artist’s fame.

Bridlington councillors fears that art lovers would be drawn to Hull and that they could lose lucrative business.

Cyril Marsburg, the former Bridlington mayor said last year: “We should capitalise on his fame here in Bridlington. The town council is behind me on this.

"When David Hockney first came on the scene here it was suggested we make him a Freeman and rename the gallery at The Spa the David Hockney Gallery.

"We should not let Hull steal our thunder."

Hockney is said to have fallen in love with Bridlington and its surround countryside after visiting the town to see his mother every Christmas for 30 years.

He once said that it was only when he found a subject in the Wolds landscape that he decided to put down roots and stay.

"As you get older, I suppose you're attracted again to your roots, but it was only when I thought I had found a subject that I decided I will stay a bit longer.

"It wasn't a plan, it just happened, and even when I began painting, I was still intending to go back to California, where I lived for 30 years."