BEAVER Furniture has brought the past back to life with the discovery of a unique piece of furniture originally handcrafted by the company 40 years ago.

David Glegg, owner of the family-run company, based in Sutton-Under-Whitestonecliff, near Thirsk, in North Yorkshire, found the six-foot sideboard on sale at Tennants of Leyburn auction house.

The sideboard was made by his late father-in-law, Colin Almack in 1961. All Beaver furniture carries the distinctive beaver trademark and is found in private homes and public buildings all over the world.

The sideboard would have sold for about £100 in the 1960s, but the company has repolished the piece and put it back on sale at a value of £1,800.

David said: "This was a very unexpected find and a rare opportunity for us to have some of Colin's original work in the showroom.

"All our furniture is handcrafted and therefore retains a certain style. The combination of colour and character which it has gained with age make this sideboard a very special piece."

He added: "We are hopeful that the next owner will appreciate the history of the sideboard and that fact that it is a one-off, personally crafted by the company's original Beaverman."