IT’S ironic that Bury Art Museum is the venue for a major exhibition about comedian, actor and writer Victoria Wood.

That’s because as a Bury teenager, Victoria used to steal books from the building’s library as she was too chronically shy to ask a librarian how to join - but she did send a cheque for £100 in later life!

The exhibition, which opens tomorrow, is exceptionally impressive, hugely comprehensive and is a treasure trove for Victoria’s millions of fans.

It follows a timeline of her life and career and most of the exhibits have never before been seen in public.

“We’ve been very lucky that Victoria’s literary estate and family have loaned us so much stuff,” said Susan Lord, museum and exhibition curator.

The suitcase used by Victoria when doing her stand up shows – along with her make-up box and make-up - and the iconic yellow beret worn by her in the Kimberley Friends gags are on display.

There are also letters and notebooks full of Victoria’s ideas, and original handwritten lyrics.

School reports and photos from her childhood, teenage years and as a student at Birmingham University also feature. And part of the exhibition houses a cabinet displaying Victoria’s many awards, including her OBE medal and CBE certificate

The exhibition will also feature a video montage, which will include behind the scenes footage of the filming of Victoria Wood’s All Day Breakfast.

“She’d have loved it,” said Christina Baker, Victoria’s best friend who was having a sneak preview of the free exhibition before it opens to the public on Saturday..

“It should be here. Bury is the right place for it.”

Christina, 65, was Victoria’s make-up artist and hair designer for 32 years. Like Victoria, she is a native of Bury and was a pupil at St Gabriel’s RC High School at the same time that Victoria was at Bury Grammar.

Visiting the exhibition evoked many other happy memories for her, and organisers hope it will have the same effect on the public.

“We want visitors to laugh, reminisce and enjoy and go away feeling really cheered up,” said Mrs Lord.

One of the most poignant exhibits is Victoria’s childhood photograph album. Among the images is one of the isolated and remote Birtle Edge House where the lonely teenaged Victoria patiently wrote, practised and dreamed of success.

Scrawled above it, and dated 1966, Victoria wrote the caption “Where it all happened”.

Bury Art Museum is open from 10am to 5pm (Tuesday to Friday) and from 10am to 4.30pm on Saturday.