Xena paraphernalia going under hammer

Decomposing bodies, a headless corpse and a large collection of swords and medieval weapons will all be up for grabs today in an auction of props from canned television show Xena:Warrior Princess.

Hundreds of props are on sale. They come from a private collection that is taking up too much room.

More than half the swords are real but there are no dangerous items and many of the props are made of polystyrene.

Thornton Auctions in Penrose will host the auction.

Owner Brad Jackson says Xena junkies have already shown overwhelming interest.

Fans have come from as far south as Christchurch.

The auctioneers also received 125 hits a day on their website from American Xena followers. Mr Jackson says some potential buyers have medieval shops - he knows of one buyer who plans to make a "Xena room" in his antique shop.

Other buyers will be Halloween tricksters and "someone that's into playing tricks and things like that."

The prize items include a chaise longue adorned with skull heads and a bust of New Zealand actor, the late Kevin Smit.

There are also two thrones with dinosaur backbones.

The highest price may be fetched by two "cobra" candelabra.

They are each more than 2m high and are estimated to fetch $3000 as a pair.

The props are on sale because a Xena fan who bought up to 600 Xena props has reluctantly decided to sell them because he no longer has room.