THE public has a rare chance to glimpse an internationally important private collection of glass art.

But they'll never know the identity of the couple who own the works as they do not wish to be named, partly for security reasons.

The couple began their collection, currently on display at the National Glass Centre in Sunderland, in 1990.

It includes the work of internationally renowned glass artists from Britain and the USA and incorporates the work of renowned American glass-maker Dale Chihuly.

One of the Midlands-based couple explained that, as well as the security issue, they simply had no desire to attract interest in themselves. He said: "Our primary aim is to stimulate interest in the art in the hope that it will assist British glass artists and students of the art."

There will be a series of free guided tours of the exhibition on Sunday, March 11, at 3pm. The exhibition runs until March 30.