Actress Joanna Lumley chose to keep a low profile during a visit to the seaside.

She toured Brighton Museum and Art Gallery yesterday as part of a judging panel for a prestigious museum prize worth £100,000 to the winner.

However, the star of TV's hit sitcom Absolutely Fabulous preferred to keep her visit under wraps.

In stark contrast to the brazen Patsy, her attention-seeking character in the show, she made a dash for cover when she realised she had been recognised.

She even covered her face with her hands as she entered the building.

Ms Lumley is a member of the judging panel for the first Gulbenkian Prize for museums.

A museum spokeswoman said Ms Lumley perhaps did not want too much attention because she attended the museum in a private capacity as a judge. She said: "She was not here on a publicity visit."

Other members of the panel include former University Challenge presenter Bamber Gascoigne and artist Anish Kapoor.

The redeveloped museum is one of 12 venues nominated for the prize. The panel is visiting each of the nominees. The Gulbenkian Prize will be worth £100,000 to the winner, almost £40,000 more than any other arts prize.

The winner will be announced on May 15.

Brighton Museum and Art Gallery has enjoyed soaring visitor numbers since the end of its two-year £10 million National Lottery-backed refurbishment last May.

The £1.6 million Downland Gridshell project at the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, near Chichester, has also been nominated for the prestigious award.