Elvis Presley hair strand on sale at Oswestry antique stall

The memoribilia collector was 'All Shook Up' when he made the find while living in America.

Now he has put the bizarre souvenir up for sale on his stall in the Cambrian House Emporium in Oswestry.

Mr Perrins, 68, lived in America for many years but had to return to Shropshire when he lost his home during a hurricane in central Florida in 2005.

He, his wife Linda, son Joe, and the family's dogs, survived the hurricane by hiding in their 'walk-in' wardrobe that was directly behind the stone chimney. But the house was badly damaged.

"It happened so quickly in the middle of the night. But I remembered that when you see photos of hurricane-hit homes it is always the stone chimneys that are still standing."

He said that with the damage to the house and his deteriorating health the family had no choice but to return to Oswestry.

He happened upon the strand of hair when he visited Memphis during the family's two years in America.

"I bought the piece of Elvis's hair from his barber and it came with a certificate of authenticity. I couldnt resist it."

Barber Homer Gill Gilleland toured with Elvis for more than 20 years.

He dyed the singer's hair black and then cut it, saving strands in a towel which he sold after the singer's death in 1977.

He was also said to be the inventor of the famous black dye he used on Elvis. He died in 1995.

Mr Perrins said he set up a stall in Oswestry to help the family to move on with their lives.

"We had to downsize and so we had to get rid of some of our collection.

We have lots of American trivia from Homer Simpson items, Beanie toys and all kinds of interesting things."

The piece of hair caught the attention of antiques expert, Helen Hall from the BBC Antiques Road trip when she visited the emporium this week.

Her show will be broadcast in the new year.

Daryl Kerr from the emporium said Mr Perrins' memorabilia was just one of the gems in the historic building, which has more than 30 stalls.