Like the Wombles of Wimbledon Common, Paul and Iain Garvill have a good nose for collectables and their unusual hobby has landed them their own exhibition.

The eagle-eyed brothers spend much of their spare time scouring rubbish heaps on the hunt for unusual objects.

During the years their collection gradually grew and father Bob, 46, put up shelves in his garage where the finds were displayed.

Alongside the fossils and bits of pottery are a 17th century double-barrelled pistol, First World War bayonets, Roman coins, the button from a French soldier's shirt and a penny bent by the wheels of the last tram to leave Charing Cross station in London.

When the curator of their local museum heard about their remarkable treasure trove, he offered the brothers an opportunity to share them with the world, in an exhibition called Rocks, Pots and Lots, Lots More.

Paul, 11, a pupil at Imberhorne School, East Grinstead, said: "The first things I found were just fossils and bits of old pottery.

"But when you find something you start to look harder.

"I like it because you get a sense of the people who live in the past that you can't get from books.

"Most of my friends collect computer games and things like that but they don't really appeal to me.

"I like going out looking for things.

"Now it's reached the point where things seem to find me."

One of Paul's most fortunate finds was an old button which stuck to the bottom of his shoe while he was out walking.

He pulled it loose, shone it up and discovered it was more than 50 years old.

He said: "We keep it all in the garage but I didn't realise how much we had until we were asked to do this exhibition. It all looks a lot better under the lights."

Iain, nine, said: "It's fun to go out collecting and it stops us from getting bored."

Museum curator Anthony Smith said: "They've been collecting ever since they were tiny and things just seem to cling to them.

"We like to try out new ideas at the museum and this is the first time they've put their collection on show."

Bob Garvill, a chartered surveyor, said: "They just seem to have this natural instinct.

"Every time we go out for a walk they find something. Personally I think it's great they've got the exhibition.

"It means I can have my garage back for a month at least."

The exhibition at Priest House, North Lane, West Hoathly, is open from 11am to 5.30pm until the end of October.

Admission costs £2.50 for adults and £1.20 for children.