THEY brought you hours of joy as a child- and now they could bring you happiness as an adult, if you can bear to part with them, of course.

Duke’s is taking a trip down memory lane and celebrating toys over the last 100 years.

The auctioneers’ inaugural toys and collectibles sale was a huge success with items all the way from the Victorian era put under the hammer.

On the day, 3,000 people signed in to the online auction room, meaning items that were once played with in a back garden in Weymouth could be seen all over the world.

Duke’s are looking for local people who might have special items- be it a book, baby doll or board game, long forgotten about lurking somewhere in the house.

They will be holding a valuation day on Tuesday, from 9am until noon, at the Weymouth Avenue showroom.

If items go under the hammer they could fetch lots of cash- perhaps to spend on more toys (for the grandchildren, of course.)

Auctioneer specialist Philip Traves, an avid collector of the quirky, unusual and vintage himself, said: “There is a charm about older toys which appeals to ‘inner-child’ in collectors.

“Toys from the 1960s and 70s can time-travel you back to your childhood, and this nostalgia teamed with the stylish designs of mid-century toys, and top quality construction, make them the perfect collectors piece. Our expansion into online bidding has massively increased the market for our sales, and we can offer the opportunity to give items an international market, all from our Dorchester saleroom.”

Items already up for auction include a collection of Dinky and Corgi toys, vintage film posters, postcards and printed ephemera. Boat buyers have the opportunity to race the old against the new, as there is a stately early 20th century pond yacht, and a modern hand built remote controlled fishing boat both up for sale. There is a fashionable 1930s doll with a full selection of art deco garments, and a wax-headed Victorian doll, which has been treasured by generations of children. For the wannabe scientist, there is a 1960s chemistry set, complete with glass test tubes and chemicals.