Nostalgia: Furness link to collection of 36 Blue Peter annuals in Salvation Army sale

The popular children's TV show has reached its 60th anniversary and many of the annuals will feature Peter Purves, a presenter from 1967 to 1978, who was a former sixth form student at Barrow Grammar School and started his acting career in the town.

Captain Martin Davison, of the Salvation Army in Barrow, said: "We are really grateful for the thoughtfulness of people in giving them for us to sell."

The 200 donated items in the sale include everything from a mystery portrait of a First World War soldier, to Be-Ro cookery books, royal souvenirs, fishing reels and camera equipment.

The Blue Peter annuals include the era of presenters John Noakes, Valerie Singleton, and Peter Purves. The books will be sold separately and are in good condition.

There is an Art Deco period leather-bound doctor's writing case from the 1920’s which includes embossed period surgery-printed notepaper from Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Of South Cumbrian interest is a selection of guide books and maps and a set of 1960’s Be-Ro cookery books, originally costing 1/6d (7p).

Period photography items remain popular and the sale includes cameras and a collection of specialist lenses of interest to enthusiasts.

Captain Davison said: "We are really blessed in how kind folk are in donating these super items.

"We hope by offering them in these special sales they will be appreciated and cherished for the next generation.

"When people bring items in, it’s almost like a time capsule as you piece together the periods and places the items originated from.

"We have decided to run this sale for five days as we have more interesting items than usual and it will allow people extra time to see and inspect the goods on offer."

Proceeds from the collectors sale will go towards the Salvation Army’s work in the local community and the upkeep of the iconic 1910 Citadel Building on Abbey road.