Rare images featuring iconic British comedians are to be displayed at the Museum Of Comedy.

Pictures shot by photographer and filmmaker Trevor Rogers during the 1980s are to be displayed at the London-based museum for the majority of 2015.

The museum explains: "Trevor Rogers, award-winning photographer and film maker, literally stumbled upon his archive of 1980's ground-breaking alternative comedy portraits when he moved studio a year ago. Boxes long sealed and stored were unpacked and among them were the rediscovered treasures about to be unleashed on the British public."

The exhibition, titled Alternative Comedy Legends - a Retrospective, focuses on some of Britain's most iconic and influential comedians: Dawn French, Jennifer Saunders, Alexei Sayle, Rik Mayall, Ade Edmondson, Peter Richardson, Nigel Planer and Arnold Brown are amongst those who appear in the images.

The museum notes the pictures focus on comedians "whom featured in many landmark shows; all were pioneering risk-takers. Dominating the alternative comedy scene throughout the eighties they paved the way for a whole new generation of comedians."

Trevor Rogers says: "Moving studio does have its benefits. I've moved a few times over the years, but for some reason, this time I decided to open up a few crates. I couldn't believe it. I'd forgotten how much material I'd hidden away. It didn't seem right these British comedy giants should stay sealed up."

The exhibition will open at the Museum of Comedy, located in the Bloomsbury area of London, on Wednesday 11th March 2015 and remain there until the end of September. "It's the perfect venue" says Rogers. "Martin Witts, the Museum's owner, enthused over the images and has been a great supporter of the show; with Comic Relief 2015 kicking off on 13th March, the timing couldn't be better. I'm excited to think that a whole new comedy audience will get the chance to finally see these images for the very first time".

A percentage of ticket and print sales raised during the exhibition will be donated to Comic Relief. All the prints will be signed by Trevor Rogers and a limited edition number of selected prints will be signed by some of the comedians featured.

'Alternative Comedy Legends - a Retrospective' will be at The Museum Of Comedy from 11th March to 30th September 2015. To find out more about the museum visit www.museumofcomedy.com