A Cosford auctioneer hopes bidders will say “I Do” when he sells a striking wedding dress worn by soap queen Barbara Windsor on EastEnders.

The exclusive lilac creation, with matching shoes and handbag, was worn by Babs when her character Peggy Mitchell tied the knot with on-screen husband Frank Butcher.

The nation’s favourite landlady donned the outfit in a blockbuster episode 10 years ago when she finally walked down the aisle with wayward lover Frank, played by the late Mike Reid.

The dress is being sold by Valentine Auctions, of Cosford Auction Rooms, Long Lane, and is expected to generate around £3,500.

Bidders from across the UK and many collectors of TV memorabilia are among those expected to compete in the auction room on September 14.

Windsor wore the dress in the soap wedding of the year watched by millions of viewers who tuned in to see the Queen Vic’s landlady wed philandering Frank.

The outfit was originally sold to a collector of television memorabilia following a charity auction on ITV’s This Morning during 2000 and has remained in private collectors’ hands since then.

Peter Andrews of Valentine Auctions said: “Barbara Windsor has a huge fan base, so the items are very special to many people.

“There are very few items of genuine EastEnders’ memorabilia other than a few photographs so the wedding outfit, which includes an authentic signed card from the actress, is extremely rare.

“It is bound to attract a great deal of interest from collectors and fans of the TV series.”