A “nostalgic” dad has spent 21 years tracking down all his favourite childhood toys.

Simon Papouis, from Worthing, has been on a mission to hunt down the old toys he used to own ever since he discovered his ET book in a car boot sale.

When Simon was 13 his parents divorced and his beloved toys were lost.

Some 20 years later, the 49-year-old was walking through a car boot sale and picked up the ET book only to discover it was the exact copy he owned when he was eight.
Simon with another one of his old childhood toysSimon with another one of his old childhood toys (Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)

“I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“I literally couldn’t believe it when I spotted my name and my address on the inside cover.

“It was a mixture of emotions, I thought it was a wind up.

“I felt quite emotional, the hairs on my arms stood up and I welled up.

“I got my shiny 50p out, the best 50p I have probably ever spent.

“It is now one of my worldly possessions. It isn’t worth a dime, but to me because of the emotional connection it has become priceless. I will treasure it forever.”

The surprising discovery inspired Simon to hunt down and replace the rest of his childhood toys, in a collection that has amounted to around 100-150 items.

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The dad-of-two says the most prized toy he has purchased is an unopened Tamiya Sand Scorcher model car kit which, in its condition, is probably one of the only ones left in the world he said.

Simon Papouis as a childSimon Papouis as a child (Image: Simon Papouis / SWNS)

The toys are all kept locked away in secure storage with CCTV cameras watching them at all times.

“It has been a fantastic experience it really has,” said Simon.

“I don’t play with the toys. I am a grown up in a grown-up world, but I think it is nice knowing that I have them.

“I am nostalgic through and through and sentimental.

Simon with his old bikeSimon with his old bike (Image: Tony Kershaw / SWNS)

“I think it is a throw-away world now, but nothing really has a shelf life on it.

“From a sentimental point of view, it was absolutely worth every penny. I like to think of things as investments."

Simon was so inspired by his journey that he started the The Cine Film Factory, specialising in transferring old film to modern formats.

Simon says the business is a great passion of his as he loves “returning lost memories” to other “nostalgic people.”