A NEW insight into the life of Grace Darling has been revealed in letters discovered in archives.

More than 20 letters were found in the archives at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution's (RNLI) Grace Darling Museum, in Bamburgh, Northumberland, where they have been untouched for decades.

Lighthouse keeper's daughter Grace Darling became a heroine in 1838 when she rescued survivors from the wreck of the SS Forfarshire.

RNLI heritage collections officer Carolyn Anand, who transcribed the letters, said: "The letters are mostly between members of the Darling family and cover a period from the 1820s to the turn of the 20th Century.

"They trace the story from hardship and obscurity to the steady improvement of the family fortunes as their fame spreads after the famous Forfarshire rescue."

One of the letters to Grace's father, William, from his friend Henry Hewitson, dated February 2, 1839, warned against allowing Grace to visit London, because it was feared she would be made a "public spectacle".

The letters, which are in pristine condition, will feature in the RNLI's new education and research facility planned as part of the museum's redevelopment, due to be completed in 2006.

The plans were given a boost this year with the award of nearly £1m from the Heritage Lottery Fund. About £400,000 still needs to be raised.

Published: 11/11/2004