SHOPPERS grabbed themselves a piece of film and television history at a unique yard sale.

Props from hit films, including musical Les Miserables, fantasy thriller 47 Ronin, and action smash Fast and Furious, went on display at the Manor Trading Estate, in Benfleet.

Furniture, costumes, photographs, painting and lighting equipment from TV shows including American series Law and Order, BBC’S The One Show, and comedy-drama Being Eileen were also on offer.

The yard sale gave shoppers a taste of what is to come, as firm Dresd is setting up a permanent restoration centre and shop in Armstrong Road, which is due to open in July.

Dresd is a company which provides the broadcast industry with an alternative to sending items to the dump, and sees the props reused by production companies and events firms.

Lynn McFarlane, owner of Dresd, said their first ever yard sale was a huge hit.

She said: “It went very well. It was really busy. There has been a big response from people and we’ve had a lot of sales, particularly from interior designers.

“We have a contract with various production companies to basically take the stuff that otherwise would have just gone to landfill.

That is what normally happens, but a lot of people are really interested in film props so it makes sense to display and reuse them.”

Dresd is so highly thought of in the production industry, the yard sale was even featured in this months Bafta newsletter.

The firm has also been praised by TV presenter Ben Shephard and actor Colin Firth.

Colin said: “I’ve long lamented the fate of all the beautifully crafted film sets I see. No sooner is a scene finished then they head for the landfill – or at best eternal storage.

“Dresd have taken on the task of saving them where possible and reusing them for events – to spectacular effect.

“I’ve worked them many times now. The team are a joy to work with and the results dazzling.”

For more information, visit www.dresd.co.uk.