A YORK museum is uncovering the fascinating stories behind newly donated historical items.

Christine Mellor, corporate bookings officer at the Yorkshire Air Museum, is the first person in the north-east to study for the Cultural Heritage Modern Apprenticeship, run by York College and Yorkshire Museum's Libraries and Arts Council.

The course has helped her assess the relevance and importance of donated artefacts, and how they can best be incorporated into the collection.

Christine recently studied a Distinguished Flying Cross and pilot's notebooks, which belonged to Squadron Leader Stanley Gooch.

Through some rough notes that were intended to form the basis of an autobiography, Christine learned the history behind Stan's career that saw him fly all over the world.

Stan flew more than 16 different types of aircraft, clocking up more than 30,000 flying hours.

Christine said: "It is both fascinating and a privilege to be in a position to uncover such detail about an individual's experience. The challenge ahead is to find a suitable way to bring this to life for others to appreciate."

Updated: 11:06 Friday, January 14, 2005