AN exhibition of Victorian dresses and accessories is being held at Grange Court in Leominster on Saturday to raise funds for Leominster Museum, Grange Court and The Priory Church.

The clothing and accessories on display are from the collection formed by Jeffrey Dabbs and Myfyr W Hughes and span Queen Victoria's 64-year reign and includes day dresses, ball gowns, mantles, bonnets, shoes and parasols.

Of local interest are two evening gowns of 1895, which belonged to Mrs Hannah Foster of Moor Park, Ludlow and her daughter Ethel Jane Foster who became Lady Inchiquin in 1896.

The majority of the clothes on display have not been exhibited before in such quantity. Dust, insects, temperature changes and light; both daylight and artificial can cause irreparable damage as can constant handling of the costumes; the fugitive nature of some of the aniline dies as with the bright purple dress means that it cannot be displayed for long periods of time.

The exhibition is open on Saturday from 10 am to 4pm. Tickets are available from Grange Court, Priory Church and Geoffrey Crofts on 01568 611 122 or email geoffrey.crofts@brightwells.com