Queen Victoria's dress on view in Bexhill

It is an impression that will be cemented for visitors to Bexhill Museum of Costume and Social History this year. Queen Victoria s dress has been loaned for the season by a well-wisher.

Light Summer dresses worn by the present Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, during the 1930s will contrast in a special Golden Jubilee year tableau with a dress typifying their great grandmother s fashion tastes.

The popular costume museum in Manor Gardens re-opens on Easter Saturday. Volunteers are currently working on the new season s arrangements. Pride of place will go to the Golden Jubilee cabinet, celebrating Queen Elizabeth II s accession to the throne in 1952.

At a preview for the Observer, museum chairman Pauline Bullock appealed for anyone with memorabilia relating to the Queen s reign to loan it for the display. Georgina Bradley has arranged the Queen Victoria dress (pictured) on a model of authentic stature - just 4ft 8inches tall but with a 44inch waistline.

The dress was made for the Queen to attend the funeral in 1892 of the Duke of Clarence. More correctly, it is described as a bodice with separate full skirt and train.

Georgina Bradley says: "It is all-black and in silk chiffon with beautiful corded gros grain. It really is quite beautiful, with a deep crepe hem to the skirt and around the bodice.

"The bodice has this lovely chiffon scalloped frill and covered buttons. "There is a peplum at the back and the train is very wide.

"The elbow-length sleeves are ruched silk chiffon. The neck is low and rounded. The white lace is replacement though some of the original beige remains." H05515.