The show folded last year after providing entertainment to local audiences for 25 years, but its demise has left Scout leaders with a bit of a headache – what to do with all the costumes?

"They are all housed in one of the buildings at the Fan Wood Scout and Guide camp site in Gomersal, but the problem is that squirrels have got in and bitten through the electricity wires so there is no heating there," said deputy district commissioner Ann Wood, who directed the show for its last seven years.

"We don't want the costumes to get damp, and because we have no need of them any more we've decided to put them up for sale.

"Over the 25 years we have accumulated thousands of costumes, ranging from plain T-shirts and cotton tops to international costumes such as beautiful Aladdin type outfits and harem trousers and tops, plus period Edwardian clothes. Among the most unusual are a Michael Jackson costume, a Madonna dress, clowns, cavemen outfits, animals and old-fashioned bathing costumes.

"The majority of the costumes are children's from the age of eight upwards – there are a few adult ones, though not in any great numbers."

Most of the costumes were hand-made by the gang show's wardrobe department under the direction of Margaret Lomas, the wardrobe mistress for almost 20 years.

"The costumes would be ideal for dance schools or amateur societies. We have full sets comprising matching skirts and tops and co-ordinating trousers and shirts or waistcoats. In some cases there are as many as 60 in a set," said Ann.

"We have so many it's impossible to catalogue them so we're having an open day on Sunday August 31 for people to come along to view and buy the costumes. Prices will begin at 50p per item depending on size, material and detail."

Money raised will go towards improvements at Fan Wood.

"Selling the costumes will also free up valuable space at the camp site. There are so many activities going on there now, and we're adding facilities all the time and running courses, so we can free this building up for better use, possibly as a kind of schoolroom," said Ann.

The sale is on from 11am-3pm at the camp site in Ferrands Lane, Gomersal.