QUEEN Victoria would certainly not be amused. Ladies drawers on show? Whatever next? How did those delicate Victorian ladies keep their cool in a heatwave? A new display in March Museum may help answer the question. The collection of Victorian underwear h

QUEEN Victoria would certainly not be amused. Ladies drawers on show? Whatever next?

How did those delicate Victorian ladies keep their cool in a heatwave? A new display in March Museum may help answer the question.

The collection of Victorian underwear has been put together from items donated by the public and is set to be one of the most popular exhibits during the summer.

Heather Hewitt, a steward at the museum, said: "It is all made out of cotton which is nice and cool. Today a lot of underwear is nylon and viscose which is not so cool."

But far from stripping off in the heat, getting dressed was quite a marathon for those poor Victorian ladies. They would wear knee length drawers, a chemise or a camisole, followed by a corset and then petticoats - that was all before she was ready to put on a skirt and bodice.

The museum has a large collection of clothing but is always happy to receive donations of clothes from the Victorian and Edwardian times, allowing the displays to be changed at frequent intervals.

Clothes which are donated are looked after and stored in correct conditions with acid free paper.