FASHION statements made by the ancient Egyptians came under the spotlight of an expert at the weekend.

Rachael Dann, a PhD student at Durham University's department of archaeology, delivered an illustrated talk on ancient Egyptian clothing to an audience at the city's Oriental Museum.

She outlined what the ancient Egyptians wore, how it was portrayed in illustrations, and its relevance.

She said: "The Egyptians were very specific when they illustrated clothing and we can learn a lot about the individuals from what they are shown wearing."

She also contrasted examples of finds of clothing and jewellery from the period with how such items were illustrated.

Ms Dann is in her second stint at Durham, having graduated in archaeology in 1998, before specialising in Egyptology on a Masters degree course at Cambridge.

She has also taken part in a dig overseen by Durham University lecturer Dr Penny Wilson in the Nile delta, in Egypt.