It's a DIY stagecoach (From Stroud News and Journal)

It's a DIY stagecoach

A CRAFTSMAN'S full-scale plan of a 19th century stagecoach has been rediscovered in Minchinhampton.

Richard Leech uncovered the plans as he was stripping wallpaper in his Butt Street home, which in years gone by was the workshop of Whiting Bros Coachbuilders.

"I've been putting a set of stairs up the wall and thought we ought to get that paper off the wall - underneath was this drawing."

"I thought it was wonderful - you can see how big it must have been." The drawing had been uncovered in the 1960s but was presumed lost when the house was replastered.

"Rather than knocking the plaster off the wall they'd just papered over it," said Mr Leech.

"I'd always assumed that because the other walls had been replastered this one had too."

He believes the picture of the 18ft stagecoach was the blueprint followed by coachbuilders and now plans to leave the picture as a feature.

"Unfortunately we won't be able to see the whole picture as it was in its former glory," added Mr Leech.

"A wall's been put through the middle and I wouldn't have put the stairs there if I'd known."