A mysterious mural which has lain undiscovered for decades under wallpaper in a workingman's club has caused a stir among locals.

The unusual painting of a rural hunting scene was a shock discovery for staff at Brandon Workingmen's Club, who stumbled across the find after removing wallpaper from the club bar.

The painting stretches about 15ft along one wall, but is believed to be part of a 50ft mural as fragments of artwork such as family crests have been discovered throughout the room. Now the club is looking into securing grants to restore and protect the artwork.

Club treasurer Brian Winter says the discovery has provoked an avalanche of rumours as regulars speculate who could have created the painting or the location it depicts.

It is most likely to have been painted in 1938 when the club, in Brandon near Durham, was built.

He said: "It's a talking point in the village. The consensus at the moment is the scene is from Brancepeth Village.

"There's rumours a woman from Ushaw Moor painted it, but everybody has been in here shouting, 'no, it's so and so who painted it,' someone even suggested Michael Angelo."

Mr Winter has also been told the ceiling of the former concert hall upstairs in the club is also adorned in grand murals, but nobody knows for sure as it is hidden by a suspended ceiling. Anyone who may know the origins of the painting should contact the club on 0191-3780330.