IRON Age currency bars, a headband worn by Malvern's most famous donkey and D-Day memorabilia are some of the newest exhibits to find a home at the Malvern Museum.

After being burgled a year ago, the museum has made a successful recovery and artefacts on loan from local residents and organisations fill its labyrinth of rooms.

The ancient Priory Gatehouse opened its doors for a new season yesterday (Thursday) after months of hard work by the 18 volunteers who run the museum.

Faith Renger, who has been a curator for 22 years, was delighted to see it back on its feet.

She was responsible for organising many of the new exhibits and was looking forward to seeing the public's response, particularly to her favourite display.

"The Iron Age currency bars give me a real thrill," she said.

"It's thought that around the time the Romans were invading, one of the Celts living around here probably buried them thinking that when things calmed down they could go and collect them and become a rich man. But it obviously never happened.

"There are 100 altogether, so to have one back in Malvern is amazing."

A room devoted to Malvern's part in the two world wars has also been re-opened, showing soldiers marching through the gateway, personal experiences as recounted by members of the Malvern Chums Company and the five hospitals built in Malvern Wells to treat American soldiers sent from Southampton.

The role played by scientists working at the Telecommunications Research Establishment during the Second World War is a main focus of the exhibition, with the town's development of radar contributing to crucial Allied bombing campaigns.

There are also more quirky items, such as a Victorian headband worn by The Royal Moses, a donkey said to have carried Princess Victoria and her mother from near The Red Lion up to St Ann's Well.

"Hopefully, people will come in and be able to encounter some of the ghosts of the past, to get a flavour of previous times," said Mrs Wrenger.

The museum recently welcomed a new face in the form of Derek Lewis, a former journalist who recently retired to Malvern and has become a curator at the museum.

Mr Lewis said he had been hugely impressed by the wealth of material on display.

He was particularly taken with a jug picturing Jenny Lind, the 'Swedish Nightingale', who is buried in Great Malvern Cemetery.

"I live about 200 metres from where she used to live, so I feel there's a connection there. I look after her!" he joked.

Despite outward appearances, the museum contains a surprisingly large selection of artefacts and would give any visitor a valuable insight into Malvern's colourful characters, landscape and history.

With its many, dedicated volunteers ensuring it is constantly updated, the museum looks set to remain with one foot in the town's past and another firmly in its future.

Malvern Museum is open to the public from 10.30am to 5pm every day, except Wednesday.

Admission is £1.50 for adults and 50p for children, under-7s free.