HAVING to clean a toilet with a toothbrush sounds like a punishment, but for Sue Simpson, pictured, it's just part of her job.

For her day's work consists of being object cleaner and conserver at York Castle Museum - a role which can entail the delicate task of cleaning exhibits, and preparing sometimes very dirty items.

She is seen here cleaning an ornate lavatory, in readiness for an exhibition called Spotless, which will detail personal and household cleaning through the ages. The exhibition opens on March 23.

Sue said :

"Sometimes cleaning can be a chore, but one of the joys of the job is the restoration cleaning - once you begin to remove the layers of dirt you often reveal something very beautiful."

Updated: 10:28 Saturday, March 02, 2002