A WINDOW from Little Malvern Priory will form part of a forthcoming exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.

The east window, which dates from 1482, is made of Malvern glass and is historically important, as it is one of the last two made in the English style of glass-making.

It is currently undergoing restoration work and while out of the Priory will be used in the exhibition 'Gothic: Art For England 1400-1547', which begins in October.

The two panels of the window are currently at Canterbury Cathedral, where they are being cleaned before they go to the exhibition.

The window depicts the family of Edward IV and Elizabeth Woodville, including the future Edward V, one of the doomed Princes in the Tower. Together with the Royal window at Canterbury Cathedral, they are the only surviving monumental representation of the key Yorkist personalities in English 15th Century history.

Dr Sebastian Strobel, head of conservation at the cathedral, is overseeing the delicate work.

Col Bob Steel, a former churchwarden, is responsible for the project at the Little Malvern end.

He said: "It's very exciting for us. We're thrilled. But of course, it all costs money and we're having to work hard to raise it."

Although the V&A is paying for the cost of having the window removed and transported, the Priory is having to find funds to pay for the restoration and upkeep of the east window.

An operation to clean and restore the window and cover it with a layer of isothermic glazing will cost the Priory £35,000.

A host of fundraising events have been held and this, together with reserves and a two-year loan from the Diocese of Worcester, means the money is in place. Fundraising will continue to repay the loan.

'Gothic: Art for England 1400-1547' opens on October 9.

l One of the panels in the east window at Little Malvern Priory.