COSTUMES worn by stars of stage and screen go under the hammer in Dorchester this month.

Hundreds of lots of theatrical costumes form a major part of a sale of vintage clothing by Dukes on May 20.

Deborah Doyle of Dukes said the costumes included outfits worn by top name performers including the singer Sarah Brightman and actor Paul Nicholas. Many have BBC labels.

She said: "It's a fabulous collection - I'm really enjoying going through it all. There are so many different things, all of a very high standard of construction and mostly in very good condition."

The theatrical costumes are being sold by a collector based in the south west and are expected to form half the lots in the sale at Dukes' Grove saleroom.

She said: "There are medieval outfits, period costumes and if you wanted a set of 100 morning suits we can provide them.

"There are all sorts - including police uniforms from the 1920s and Chelsea pensioners' costumes."

The theatrical lots include accessories such as hats, shoes and swords. The sale also includes vintage gear by top designers such as Mary Quant and Hardy Amies.

Mrs Doyle said: "These clothes have come from people from all over the south and west. They seem to have just kept them at the back of the wardrobe.

"There is a pair of 18th century satin shoes, but most are from the 1950s, 60s and 70s. There are some wonderful items - there's a lovely gunmetal grey taffeta evening gown that was worn to Prince Philip's 70th birthday party at Windsor Castle."

She said the catalogue would include clothes to fit all shapes and sizes from little girl's dresses to a wide range of ladies and gentlemen's clothing plus accessories such as 1960s hats in their original boxes.

She said: "I've had some nice 1960s clothes of my own - I wish I'd kept them. There will be a lot of 1950s dresses that are very sought-after again now."

The sale starts at 10.30am on May 20, with viewing available on the previous Friday, Saturday and Monday.

Mrs Doyle said Dukes staff including Hayley Caves had modelled some of the clothes for the catalogue.