RAG-AND-BONE men Steptoe and Son were used to making money out of other people's property.

Now someone has followed their example and cashed in on a stage production in York featuring the classic BBC characters.

Theatre Royal staff were astounded to find a flier advertising the world premiere of its Steptoe And Son show being sold on the eBay website - although anyone can pick one up for free from the foyer.

The card promoting the play sold for £1.99 after being advertised on the eBay auction site as "a classic piece of Steptoe memorabilia".

Theatre public relations officer Duncan Clarke came across the flier for sale while searching for stories about the production on the net.

"I was absolutely amazed," he said. "These fliers are in the foyer for people to take. We've distributed hundreds and hundreds of them all over the region to publicise the show.

"We'll have to start putting security tags on them if they're that valuable."

Only one bid was received on eBay. As well as £1.99, the buyer had to pay 75p to have it sent by first-class mail.

"It would have been cheaper just to come into the theatre and pick one up," said Mr Clarke.

The Theatre Royal is staging the world premiere of the play Steptoe And Son in Murder At Oil Drum Lane from Monday.

The play has been written by one of the original writers, Ray Galton, and John Antrobus. It marks the first time the characters have been portrayed on stage in this country.

Tickets, which cost from £8.50 to £18, £7 for matinees and £3.50 for under 25s and students, are available from the box office, on (01904) 623568.