A PAIR of Queen Victoria's very own bloomers have been discovered at Castle Howard.

They came to light during background research for the stately home's opening events.

Heather Eisenhutt, education and interpretation co-ordinator, discovered them hidden away in the archived costume collection at Castle Howard labelled 'Queen Victoria's Split Drawers'.

Queen Victoria's bloomers will be on display along with other items of undergarments being tidied away by the housemaid 'Ann Tibbles' one of Castle Howard's new costumed characters.

This weekend, from Friday through Sunday, the stately home will be celebrating love and romance in the 18th and 19th centuries. Amongst the highlights will be a lady revealing the complex layers of undergarments worn in the 18th century in what is described as "a tasteful undressing demonstration".

Updated: 10:17 Wednesday, February 12, 2003