The Celebrity Gallery on The Rock, Bury, has purchased the exquisite piece of jewellery belonging to the Hollywood great.

Now to ensure that more people can get their hands on a piece of Hollywood history, dealers in celebrity memorabilia Janice Percy and Alison Sharples are to have the precious stones removed to be placed in earrings and pendants and other pieces of jewellery.

Janice said: "It would make the perfect gift for Valentine's Day. I have had a sleepless night wondering what to do. It is a stunningly beautiful piece. This way it is a piece of history which more people will be able to afford."

Although Janice refused to disclose the price paid, she did say a pair of slippers worn by the late actress fetched £85,000 at auction.

"I have been after a piece of Marilyn's jewellery for seven years. I was elated when we were able to purchase it.

"It is certainly the most famous piece we have at the gallery at present."

Marilyn gave the bracelet to her step sister, Eleanor Goddard, who sold it to a collector a year before her death in the late 1990s.

"We bought it from an American collector. We have documentation to prove that it was owned by Marilyn herself," said Janice.