An insight into events almost half a century ago has been discovered hidden within a piece of artwork of the late Queen Mother.

A copy of the Daily Express newspaper dated 28 May 1963 has been found inside an octagonal plinth bearing a half-length bust of Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, at the city’s old Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The bronze bust was relocated from the main entrance of the old QE to the atrium of the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for the official opening by Her Majesty the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh in July.

But when the original Portugese limestone plinth, which had been concreted to the floor, was cut free, workmen discovered the newspaper inside. It was believed to be a trademark of Czech-born sculptor Franta Belsky, who died in 2000 at the age of 79, to place a copy of the day’s newspaper inside his pieces.

The bust itself contains the signatures of Belsky and Queen Elizabeth, who officially opened the old hospital with her husband King George VI in March 1939. But it was almost a quarter of a century before the sculpture was donated to the hospital to honour the occasion.

A spokesman for QEHB said: “The old newspaper was found inside the old plinth because it had to be cut at low level to remove it. The plinth was concreted into the floor and, once removed, further investigation work was undertaken. This found that the plinth had to be replaced due to the condition and lack of secure fixing arrangements inside the plinth for both the bronze bust into the plinth, which was always loose, and the plinth into the new hospital building floor.”

The Queen Mother’s bust was singled out for mention in a letter from Buckingham Palace following the official opening of the new hospital on July 12 as part of the Royal couple’s Diamond Jubilee Tour.

The letter, sent to University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust Chief Executive, Dame Julie Moore, read: “The Queen was touched to see the bust of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother on display in the hospital foyer.

“Her Majesty and His Royal Highness were grateful for the thought that had been put into such an enjoyable occasion and appreciated the opportunity to meet with so many staff and patients of the hospital and the Royal Centre for Defence Medicine.”

The Queen Mother’s bust, depicting the royal figure in ceremonial dress and holding a spray of lupins, has been complemented by a commemorative glass sculpture by local artist Eryka Isaak, which was unveiled by the Queen during her visit.

The relocation work was carried out by Wolverhampton company C’ART-Art Transport Limited. Managing director Angus Macdonald said: “We knew it was a hollow plinth, but it was really difficult to take out because it was full of concrete at the base and top.”

The 1963 Daily Express, which cost three old pence, features stories about a 17-year-old actor refused permission by a court to marry his girlfriend, and a preview of the then Cassius Clay’s forthcoming heavyweight fight with Henry Cooper, while adverts ranged from a new washing machine for 37 guineas to a bottle of lemon glucose drink at two shillings.

The sports page led with a report on the touring West Indies side, which included Gary Sobers, Wes Hall and Charlie Griffith, taking on Surrey, and Birmingham City beating arch rivals Aston Villa to win the Football League Cup.