A huge painting discovered underneath the floorboards of a museum was today returned to its rightful home after 140 years.

The restored 27ft by 17ft painting of the Battle of Hastings was hung at Battle Abbey School, Battle - scene of the event it depicts.

The picture, one of the largest in the country, was painted around 1820 by Frank W. Wilkin, who was commissioned by Battle Abbey to depict the famous battle of 1066.

It hung at the Abbey until 1862, when it fell out of favour with the owner and was stored in various locations.

It was rediscovered in 1939 under floorboards at Hastings Museum, badly damaged by damp and mistreatment over the years.

Work began in 1999 to restore the painting of William the Conqueror at the head of his band of knights coming across the body of King Harold.

The project, which restored its brilliance of colour and sharpness of detail, cost about £80,000.

The picture was today returned to the Great Hall at the abbey school.

The abbey is an English Heritage property which attracts thousands of visitors from around the world every year to explore the famous battlefield of 1066 and the historic building.

English Heritage painting and conservation studio head Adrian Buckley said: "It is one of our biggest conservation projects to date. Extensive damage was caused after the painting was cut from its frame, folded and stored in the damp under floorboards.

"We have flattened the huge canvas, strengthened it, cleaned the layers of dirt and grime and restored painted areas that had worn away.

"We are thrilled with the vibrancy of colour which has been restored to this vast survivor of the early 19th Century."