VOLUNTEERS at Malvern Museum have uncovered a hidden part of the building's past.

While refurbishing the ground floor of the museum, they removed layers of plasterboard above the inner entrance and found a large Victorian leaded glass screen.

Brian Iles, vice-chairman of the museum's management committee, said they believed it had been installed in the 1890s, when the building was heavily restored, but had later been plastered over to comply with fire regulations.

He said: "We'd thought there might be something there, as the plaster sounded hollow when you tapped it. I took off one end for a sneaky look and there it was. It was very exciting."

A specialist repaired the leading in the panels and replaced the damaged glass in one of them.

Museum volunteers then cleaned the glass, which had been stained yellow from years of cigarette smoke.

It will now be one of the main features in the entrance, when the museum reopens at Easter.

The museum is always looking for volunteers of any age. Anyone who would like to get involved should call 01684 567811.