Essex County Cricket Club is putting together plans for a museum, after a treasure-chest of memorabilia was discovered in an old cupboard during routine redecoration work. Among the items retrieved by workmen are a collection of old photos dating back to the 19th century, including a signed portrait of WG Grace, and a bat signed by Don Bradman's 1948 Australian "Invincibles" touring team.

David East, Essex's former wicketkeeper who is now their chief executive, was astonished by the find. "The decorators came in and started clearing out a cupboard in my office," he said. "They asked me to check through a box of old photos tucked away at the back. I couldn't believe what I was seeing."

The hoard, it transpired, had been donated over the years by club members and well-wishers, and Mr East suggested that a club museum could be built to put the items on permanent display.

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