BROMSBERROW Heath historian, Jan Long recently co-hosted and organised an event to celebrate 150 years since the birth of Iraq heroine, Gertrude Bell, and a real historical treasure turned up unexpectedly.

The event was held in East Rounton, in the North East of England, where Gertrude spent her childhood; and much of the excitement focussed on the chance discovered of Gertrude Bell's long-lost photo album, providing a glimpse into the exciting life of "the Queen of the Desert".

Sadly, the woman who helped to create the modern state of Iraq does not appear in any of the images, many of which are of her family.

But experts believe this may show she was actually the one taking the photographs.

Mrs Long, who lectures on Bell as a recognised expert, said: "Through a chance meeting worthy of the very best moments of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow a highly important, missing - thought destroyed - photograph album turned up during the last hour of the Gertrude Bell celebratory weekend at held at East Rounton.

"Over the weekend, hundreds of people had passed through the exhibition, heard talks and been present at the new biography book launch, an event designed to coincide exactly with the 150th anniversary of Gertrude Bell’s birth on July 14, 1868."

Mrs Long added: "We gathered excitedly around the table as local couple Valerie and David Wright took out an old photograph album purchased over 60 years ago by David’s father, Albert, at the Arncliffe Hall auction of the contents of Rounton Grange, the fabulous Bell family home, demolished in 1953.

"Albert’s Lot was bought for 2 shillings and 6 pence. David and Valerie, who inherited the album were unaware of its significance until now ensuring that the Gertrude Bell weekend reached a thrilling conclusion. The album is a photographic record of a 1902 world tour undertaken by Gertrude, her father Sir Hugh Bell, and her half brother Hugo, when they travelled to Algeria, taking in Italy and Sicily. Gertrude also joined an archaeological dig in Malta. "The black and white photograph shows Hugh and Hugo at Hagar Qim in Malta. Gertrude herself does not appear in any of the photos strongly suggesting that she was behind the camera lens, reminding us of her passion for photography. An analysis of the handwritten captions also suggests that the annotations are in her handwriting."

The album is currently in the care of by local historian Martin Brown, pending its return to David and Valerie Wright.

Mrs Long added "I am thrilled and excited by this new find which will help to give Gertrude Bell the prominence in history she deserves."