A model showing Nonsuch Palace in its 16th century prime has gone on display at a museum after 20 years of fundraising.

The intricate model, which cost thousands of pounds, was funded by residents, led by the Friends of Whitehall, and now sits in the Whitehall museum, Cheam, alongside finds from the archaeological dig that took place at the site in 1959.

This model, measuring about a.5m by 0.75m, is a smaller version of the large model unveiled last year and on display at Nonsuch Mansion.

Both were created by model maker Ben Taggart, who was guided by Martin Biddle who led the original excavation of the Nonsuch Palace site in 1959.

The palace, built for King Henry VIII between 1538 and 1547, was demolished in 1682 when Charles II’s former mistress Barbara Villiers, sold the materials to pay off her huge gambling debts.

Councillor Graham Tope, the council's heritage spokesman, said: "This model is an excellent addition to the permanent collection at Whitehall and helps to shed some light on the fascinating past of Sutton’s very own palace."