When ten-year-old Tony Shephard went back to his street after Hitler's Blitz, his family home had been reduced to a pile of rubble.

The only things he could find were a ragged Union Jack defiantly tied to the shattered rafters and a broken wooden box.

Inside was a silver plate, cup and saucer given to him at school to celebrate King George VI's coronation in 1937.

Tony kept the set and never gave it much thought until some royal visitors walked through the door of his Brighton antiques shop more than 20 years later.

He said: "Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon were in Brighton and heard I had a certain antique fireplace they were looking for."

But when they got in the cluttered shop, the Princess's attention was attracted to some royal commemorative china and Tony's salvaged silverware.

He said: "It was one of the strangest things I have ever heard when she said she liked a loving cup which celebrated her father's coronation.

"I was so touched that I decided never to part with it."

The Princess's comments sparked off the start of a royal collection which has grown into one of the largest in the country.

For the past 30 years, Tony, now 69, has collected whatever royal memorabilia he can get his hands on.

He said: "Whenever I see something which would be wonderful in the exhibition I usually buy it."

Tomorrow visitors to Offham Church near Lewes will get a chance to look at, and get to grips with, the objects of Tony's passion.

He said: "I'm not one of these people who say look but don't touch.

"If people are sufficiently interested I let them handle things."

The treasures on show will include photographs, autographs and replica coronation robes of Napoleon and Josephine.

But Tony's collection also looks beyond conventional items to unravel more layers of the royals' private lives.

Pride of place will be one of Queen Victoria's nightdresses and a pair of her stockings, bought from a Camden shop.

Victoria's royal insignia woven into their tops prove they have covered the monarch's legs.

Tony, who worships at Offham Church, said: "It looks as if Queen Victoria was rather thrifty because they have definitely been darned a few times.

"Perhaps she would not have been amused to see these and her nightdress going on show in a church."

For the past few days, Tony has been unpacking his collection to put on display.

But a few replica items are always on show at his home in Lewes.

His collection has come from a variety of sources - specialist shops, magazines, other collectors and tip-offs.

Tony, divisional vice-president of the Lewes Cadet Division of St John Ambulance, said: "There is a crown, orb and sceptre in the toilet as well as a couple of royal photographs.

"Most people go in there and burst out laughing."

Tony, who has met the Queen Mother and other royals several times, has raised more than £26,000 for different charities by displaying his collection.

Money raised from this exhibition will go to St John Ambulance in Sussex.

But despite his regal hobby, Tony insists he is not a fervent supporter of the Royal Family.

He said: "I do it to collect things like other people do stamps. I wouldn't call myself a royalist."

The exhibition, from 11am to 6pm, will be held at Offham Church until Tuesday.

An altar cloth made from special brocade used in the Queen's coronation in Westminster Abbey, a gift from Tony, will be dedicated in a special service on Sunday.