  Relying on U,B imagery at the Italian Telescopio Nazionale Galileo (TNG), we
report here the discovery of a sample of 13 new UV-bright post-HB candidate
stars in the field of the galactic open cluster NGC 6791. Owing to its
super-solar metal content ([Fe/H]>0.2 dex) and estimated age (t> 8 Gyr), this
cluster represents the nearest and ideal stellar aggregate to match the
distinctive properties of the evolved stellar populations possibly ruling the
UV-upturn phenomenon in elliptical galaxies and bulges of spirals.
  Our ongoing spectroscopic follow-up of this unique UV-bright sample will
allow us to assess - once cluster membership of the candidates is properly
checked - the real nature (e.g. SdB, SdO, AGB-manque' or EHB stars) of these
hot sources, and their link with the ultraviolet excess emerging from low-mass,
metal-rich evolutionary environments of external galaxies.
