EVEN more people have the chance to discover the mysterious and tragic life story of Henry VIII’s older brother, Prince Arthur, as Worcester Cathedral extends its popular exhibition.

The exhibition, Arthur: The Lost Tudor King was visited by over 500 people since it opened last month, and now it will only close on Wednesday March 8.

The original plan was to close it on February 25 and the extension has come about due to considerable public interest.

Visitors are guided around the gallery in an audio-tour exploring images and artefacts telling them the story of Arthur’s brief but eventful life.

The spokesman said: "Worcester Cathedral’s exciting new exhibition exploring the life of England’s forgotten Tudor prince has proved a big hit with visitors.

"Over 500 people have visited the exhibition since it opened last Saturday as part of this year’s Love Worcester Festival."

Prince Arthur is entombed within the cathedral, having died suddenly at the age of 15, because of "the sweating sickness."

If he had lived, his brother Henry would never have become king: and he would not have had the chance to become one of England's most controversial rulers.

It is possible that the Reformation in England, which led to a tumultuous break with Rome, might never have happened.

The sweating sickness is one of history's great mysteries, because it no one really knows what caused it.

The illness first appeared England at the end of the fifteenth century and it had vanished by the middle of the sixteenth century.

The onset of symptoms was very sudden, with death often happening within hours.

Prince Arthur was a son of Henry VII and Elizabeth of York and Henry VIII’s older brother, destined to become king as the first Tudor Prince of Wales.

He died at Ludlow Castle and now lies buried in the cathedral beneath his magnificent chantry chapel, erected by his parents as a place set aside for prayers for their son’s soul.

The Dean said: “The life and death of Prince Arthur is one of the most fascinating stories in the long history of Worcester Cathedral.

This exhibition will make it possible for people to enter into this story, and reflect on one of the great ‘might-have-beens’ of English history."

The exhibition is open every day between 10am and 4pm, until March 8. Admission is free.