Record collectors have flocked to a derelict Manchester shop where thousands of rare and antique records are being given away for free.

Everything from Bob Marley LPs to Jimi Hendrix singles have been discovered within the haul of around 50,000 records in Newton Heath .

Haulage collectors clearing out the store have been inundated with collectors and vinyl enthusiasts hoping to pick up something rare.

The treasure trove of music, which spans every genre, was discovered by contractors from haulage firm Marvellous Marcus Ltd.

Workers were so keen to find a home for the vast collection of records that they posted details of the haul on Facebook and were inundated with messages.

A spokesman for the company said around 20 people have already visited the site on Dulverton Street, in Newton Heath, loading up cars and vans with vinyl.

(Image: Eddie Garvey)

He said: “I’m a small firm and this is the largest job I have ever done. It’s basically coming to the end of the job and I don’t want to put these records in the skip. I have just tried to get as many people down here as possible.

“A lot of them are ruined because they’ve been in a flooded basement. But there are some real finds here.

“We have tried to salvage what we could but we’ve got a deadline to meet.

“We’re talking thousands and thousands of albums here. Thousands have already gone but it’s still not made a dent. I’d say there were between 30,000 and 50,000.

(Image: Eddie Garvey)

“I’m trying to salvage as much as possible and give it away rather than put it in the skip but I know a lot of it will be wasted.

“Lots of people are turning up with cars and taking bucket loads. It’s been a steady flow of people.”

Several people have speculated that the vinyl could be part of a famous collection owned by former Pandemonium Records store owner George Davenport.

(Image: Eddie Garvey)

Back in 2012, the lifelong music collector was told to remove his collection from a basement in Newton Heath. Two years later he won damages against his former landlord after flooding damaged much of his collection.

The former record store boss, who later restarted his collection with CDs, today told the M.E.N that he could not be certain the records found in Newton Heath is part of his collection.