THE National Trust's Buckland Abbey, near Yelverton, has just revealed something new to its visitors.

Five recently acquired 17th century paintings have been hung on the walls of the Abbey's Georgian Dining Room; the star of the show being the atmospheric Man with Bonnet, Cloak and Gorget, attributed to Rembrandt.

 The Dutch paintings are of the highest quality and have been acquired through the generosity of the late Lady Samuel of Wych Cross and through the Government's Acceptance in Lieu scheme.

Jeremy Pearson, curator for the National Trust in the South West, said: 'This gift includes two maritime paintings by Willem van de Velde the Younger, perhaps the finest marine painter ever to work in England.

'The late Lord Samuel formed one of the most distinguished collections of paintings from Holland's 'Golden Age', many of which are now on show in the Mansion House, London.'

Lord Samuel was the founder of a development company which purchased bomb sites in Bristol, Exeter and Plymouth after the second world war.

The abbey is open daily until October 30 and long weekends in November.