CLEANING a bed may sound like a fairly everyday household chore to most of us, but to National Trust staff near York it is an important and intricate task.

For the object of their attention at Beningbrough Hall is described as one of the finest Baroque state beds to survive in England.

Conservation staff started work on the crimson damask bed yesterday. The bed, which is in the style of Daniel Marot, originally came from Holme Lace in Herefordshire, and was brought to Beningbrough by Lady Chesterfield in about 1918. It was acquired by the Treasury after Lady Chesterfield's death in 1957.

As the focal point of a state apartment, huge sums were spent on such beds, with curtains, wall hangings, chairs and stools frequently upholstered en suite.

In the centre of an elaborately-fringed and braided backboard is a viscount's coronet, probably that of the second Viscount Scudamore.

Updated: 09:35 Friday, January 17, 2003