Expert seamstress Edith Mary Richardson spent hours making her own funeral shroud.

So storing the finished piece in a safe place must have seemed like a good idea.

Unfortunately the hideaway proved so secret that when it came to her funeral in 1985, 80 years after she made it, the shroud couldn't be found.

It took almost 20 years and a change of address before grandson Dave Richardson located the finely-embroidered cloth.

While most shrouds are destined for burial, this one is now on public display at Horsham Museum.

Mr Richardson, 56, now living in Littlehampton, said: "We were totally amazed. We discovered it when we were moving house last week.

"It was among some boxes in the loft. I'd heard about it but didn't think we would ever find it."

Mrs Richardson, who was born in 1891, made the gown while working for Lanes of Horsham as an apprentice making upholstery.

After she married she worked as a dressmaker and upholsterer from home and also designed and made her own wedding dress.

Mr Richardson, a printworks manager, lived at the same address in Devonshire Road, Horsham, all his life until leaving for Littlehampton last week.

He made the find after he and his wife Deirdre began packing for the move.

He said: "I was born there and my wife and I bought the house when my parents moved out.

"So the shroud has been up there in the loft for all that time.

"The family completely forgot about the shroud so we were delighted to find it.

"It's a lovely gown and has all this beautiful stitching around the neck.

"It was a work of art in those days and I know my grandmother was always very proud of it."

Curator Jeremy Knight said the shroud made an unusual addition to the museum's collection.

He said: "It's very rare for museums to be given a funeral shroud.

"They are obviously usually buried with the body.

"But this one has never been worn and never been used.

"It was also taken in because it is such a nice piece of needle-work."

Gossipy Objects - The Real Story Behind Real Objects is on at Horsham Museum in Causeway until June 30.

For further information, call 01403 254959 or email museum@horsham.gov.uk