Crisp packets from 80s found in collector's loft

At least three national newspapers, two magazines, a camera crew and BBC news explained how Dave Valentine's collection, which he displays at the De La Warr Pavilion this weekend, was a piece of 80s history worth a packet.

And 32-year-old Dave, of Wickham Avenue, says the last few days have been "a shock to the system."

"It's been insane, really, and also very tiring," he said. "It was such a surprise. But there's been lots of really nice messages on Facebook and everyone has been pretty good about it really."

He also set a few facts straight, explaining that The Sun, who carried a version of the story earlier this week, had plucked the 10,000 valuation for his collection out the air, and doubled the size of his collection from 250 to 500 for their story.

Dave stopped collecting the packets, which he Sellotaped into three scrapbooks, when he was around seven, stashing the books in his loft.

Twenty-five years later, in March this year, he came across them again, and hit on the idea of a Facebook site cataloguing the designs. The group now has around 2,500 members from over the world.

"I couldn't believe I had collected so many," said Dave, who lost the taste for crisps many years ago. "I enjoyed seeing how the designs had changed. For example, most of them were see-through, but these days it's all foil-wrapped."

The packets are also a type of historical record. Many promote films - The Snack That Bites Back, for Jaws 3, for example.

Dave, who is now thinking of making a coffee-table book of the designs, speaks at the De La Warr Pavilion this Sunday as part of its Collectors' Corner series of events.

And he'll bring along his favourite packets - a series of simple designs by Sainsbury's which he says particularly evoke the 1980s. "They're simplistic but striking," he added.

He shares a platform with Louise Kenward, who will speak about her collection of ceramic figures discovered in local charity shops.

The event starts at 2.30pm, and is free for all to attend. For information, call the box office on 229111.

More pictures are on Dave's Facebook group. Search for 1980s crisp packets at www.facebook.com