LAKES legend Wainwright was best known for his pictorial guides but a new exhibition into his life and work has thrown up an exciting original drawing.

The trademark pencil drawing shows Brockhole, the Lake District Visitor Centre on the shores of Windermere, where a 'Wainwright story box' collection is now on show.

Coincidentally, the authentic sketch was found in a chance discovery at the bottom of a cupboard in the classic Edwardian building.

It was placed with Kendal Archives for safe keeping, but now unveiled to coincide with the new display — designed to bring records to life.

Although Wainwright is famous for his seven pictorial guides — which have sold more than two million copies — he produced around 40 other books, including A Fifth Lakeland Sketchbook.

Catalogue archivist Hazel Gatford said: “Wainwright took two photographs of the house and glued them together to produce this sketch. He drew the house again from the front about two years later for his 1975 book Westmorland Heritage.”

The exhibition will run until spring 2014.