NESTLING among the exotic treasures in Durham's Oriental Museum is an unprepossessing boxwood statuette of an Egyptian servant girl.

And if she has a slightly bemused expression on her face it is little wonder, as this diminutive servant girl is literally priceless.

Found in the tomb of a high priest at Thebes, the 10cm statuette is unique and entirely at odds with the style of carving associated with Egypt's 18th dynasty.

The fluidly-carved girl carrying a jar also illustrates the calibre of the thousands of items on show in the newly-refurbished museum, at Elvet Hill in Durham.

Thanks to a National Lottery grant, a Chinese Gallery has just been added to the museum and now, after further work, more display areas have been re-opened.

The 20 per cent increase in exhibition space means that many exhibits, which had been languishing behind the scenes in closed boxes, will be seen for the first time.

Since its opening in the early 1960s, the museum's many benefactors have included Sir Charles Hardinge, Percival Yetts, the Rt Hon Malcolm Macdonald and Ruth and Lionel Jacobson.

The founding collection, composed of Egyptian rarities, came from the fourth Duke of Northumberland, and remains one of the most important collections in the museum.

Today, the museum is recognised as one of the greatest treasure houses of eastern art in Britain, and as such is a much-used resource for teaching and research.

It is also becoming increasingly popular for public viewing. Teaching rooms are also available and visits by school groups are always welcome at the museum, which also boasts a caf.

Curator Lindy Brewster is delighted with the new look and extended facilities.

She is particularly enthusiastic about the new Chinese Gallery, which houses artefacts ranging from the tiny shoes once worn by oriental women to a majestic 19th Century bed, which is nearly a room in its own right.

In addition, there are many items of Japanese origin, as well as a section devoted to Islamic artefacts.

A lift has been installed to give access to all sections within the museum. Although there is still some upgrading work left to be completed, it is now almost entirely open.

The museum reopens today. Preparations for celebrations to mark the Chinese New Year are under way.