An original drawing by Sir James Thornhill has been discovered thanks to a Greenwich church and a National Lottery project.

The 17th century drawing by the English painter, well known for the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College, was found in St Alfege Church archive boxes which were held on loan at Greenwich Heritage Centre.

Rebecca Parrant, the newly appointed heritage engagement and interpretation manager, discovered the sketch tucked away within an envelope containing more modern, unrelated, documents.

Rebecca was accompanied by Alison Fisher, postgraduate student, University of Greenwich, who has been awarded a vice-chancellor's scholarship to enable her to look into the church's history and its place in the country's local and national heritage.

Alison, who instantly recognised the work, said: “The drawing style and apparent age of the sketch immediately reminded me of the preparatory sketches for the Painted Hall at the Old Royal Naval College."

Images of the drawing were sent to Dr Richard Johns from the University of York, who is an expert on Thornhill and a member of the Old Royal Naval College Project Advisory Panel.

Dr Johns said: “There's no doubt that the drawings are by Thornhill. The handwriting is as much of a giveaway as the drawing itself.”

St Alfege Church wants to thank the funding from National Lottery players through the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF).