Unwanted items worth £346 sit in every Dartford household according to a Dartford pawn broker.

Reporter ALAN WOODS put this stat to the test by valuing the leftover junk in his home.

THE snow has come and the big freeze has set in - what better time could there be to lock yourself indoors and start some early spring cleaning.

Research carried out by Cash Converters found 28 per cent of Dartford homeowners de-clutter their homes just once a year.

What’s more, half of these people do it in January or February - so what are you waiting for?

Reading I could have nearly £350 of unwanted goods at home, I thought I’d give it a go.

After blowing the dust off a collection of DVDs, rummaging through drawers to find an old digital camera and iPod and grabbing the unused family Nintendo Wii, I headed optimistically to the store in Dartford High Street.

I had no idea what to expect - surely someone would not pay me cash for goods I bought years ago?

News Shopper: The small collection of items I took in raised me £133.

Cash Converters franchisee Darren Smith met me and cast an eye across the concoction of items I dragged onto the counter.

The business owner explained: “One man’s junk is another man’s gold.

"With incomes dropping and in these tough times we’re seeing people cashing in on stuff that has been sitting around - people are finding real gold mines at home.

“It’s a quick turnover for customers as they get instant cash.”

The shop pays for items ranging from electricals to gold and jewellery.

I was shocked to be told the seemingly out-dated household items I found would earn me £133 instantly.

Unsurprisingly the most valuable items were the Wii, worth £30, and the iPod Nano, which fetched a tidy £40.

News Shopper: Data produced by the firm claims every Dartford home has £346 of unwanted goods in it.

The Mario Kart Wii software with two steering wheels raked in £15, a surplus Wii controller £8 and a dated Fuji digital camera a further £20.

Before leaving News Shopper HQ, I scoured the office for anything unusual - and an ultrasonic parking sensor - most likely an unwanted secret Santa - fetched me a bonus £15.

Mr Smith added: “This Wii, for example, could provide entertainment for five different families.

“We’re growing away from buying cameras as phones come as standard with a 10 megapixel camera which is more convenient.

“We only buy books if they’re sought after, such as collector’s editions or books signed by the author.”

The experience was easier than selling online and profit margins outshone those offered at a car boot sale.

Cash Converters has solved two age-long household problems - spring cleaning has come early and my wallet is full before pay day.

What I traded in

iPod Nano - £40

Nintendo Wii - £30

Fuji digital camera - £20

Mario Kart Wii game - £15

Ultrasonic parking sensor - £15

Wii controller - £8

Life on Mars DVD - £4

Harry Potter DVD - 50p

Playstation 2 game - 50p

Memories of Bromley book - declined