CELEBRATORY events to mark the 150th anniversary of explorer Gertrude Bell’s birthday finished in spectacular style with an extraordinary discovery.

Ms Bell is a significant historical figure, with her Middle Eastern travels leading to her becoming highly influential to British imperial policy-making.

A weekend of events was organised in her birthplace, East Rounton, Northallerton, to coincide with the 150th anniversary of of her birth on July 14, 1868.

And at the conclusion of the celebrations, a photograph album charting a 1902 world tour undertaken by Ms Bell, her father Sir Hugh Bell, and her half-brother Hugo was unearthed.

Historians had thought the album had long been lost or destroyed but it was actually in the possession of local couple Valerie and David Wright.

Mr Wright’s father, Albert, had bought the album more than 60-years-ago at the Arncliffe Hall auction of the contents of Rounton Grange - the Bell’s grand family home that was demolished in 1953.

Mr and Mrs Wright, who inherited the album, were unaware of its significance until they showed it to experts at the end of the celebratory weekend.

Historian Jan Long, a Gertrude Bell expert who delivered lectures during the weekend’s events, said: “We are really excited, it was one of those moments that you just don’t think will happen.

“The couple brought the album in just as we were packing up and they were a bit hesitant when they came forward.

“They said his father had bought the album at auction in 1952 and they didn’t really know if it was of any interest.

“Of course, I nearly wanted to snatch the package from their hands!!

She added: “It is just amazing, we are absolutely thrilled to have it.”

The album’s photographs depict the Bells’ travels in Algeria, Italy, Sicily and Malta, where Ms Bell had joined an archaeological dig.

Ms Bell herself does not appear in any of the photographs, strongly suggesting that she was behind the camera lens.

An analysis of the handwritten captions also suggests that the annotations were written by Ms Bell.

The album has now been professionally copied and is currently in the care of local historian Martin Brown, pending its return to Mr and Mrs Wright.