riviere

Stephen La Rivière from Century 21 Films, which received the 22 old cans, said they mainly contained Thunderbirds material from the 1960s, including an alternative version of an episode that was never broadcast.

Mr La Rivière said he was contacted by the family last year.

"It took weeks, bit-by-bit," said Mr La Rivière.

"Eventually, listening one night... this one played out and it was not the same as broadcast," Mr La Rivière said.

Mr La Rivière said the film can was damaged, exposing the contents to the elements, so there was some restoration work to do on the material first.