AN Abingdon ironmonger put on sale six Second World War bomb removers measuring six-foot each after he found them hidden in the attic during a clean-out of his shop on August 25 1973.

The equipment was originally used to pick up small incendiary devices during the World Wars, and John Garlick [pictured] discovered six of them hidden in the Bottrell and Co store in the town while clearing up ahead of the store's closure.

Smelling a sale the entrepreneur priced them at £1.50 each and managed to sell two of the items before the shop shut down.

Speaking of the items he said at the time: "They were bought during the war by the shop and six have remained here ever since.

"People wouldn't really buy them for removing bombs. They would probably buy them as a souvenir or antique.

"I shouldn't think they have any purpose at all."