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Pictured: A top secret order from the BBC on behalf King George VI instructing her to perform at the then Princess Elizabeth II's 16th birthday in 1942. The Windsor Castle signed programme is pictured right.

An exhibition dedicated to the life and career of Dame Vera Lynn that includes previously unseen letters, photos and art work by her has been launched.

The wide ranging exhibition also contains sweeping dresses the 'Forces Sweetheart' wore on stage and a top secret order from King George VI instructing her to perform at the then Princess Elizabeth II's 16th birthday in 1942.

Dame Vera, who died in 2020 aged 103, was also a keen artist and some of the most eye-catching exhibits are 20 never-before-seen paintings the wartime singer produced.