THEY have stood the test of time, but sometimes the books at Arley Hall need a little dusting off.

So when some filming for a high-profile television show required the shelves in the library to be cleared, staff took the chance to give them a bit of ‘TLC’.

It took two days to remove the 2,800 books – some of which were 400 years old.

“It was a great thing to be a part of preserving these books for the future,” said conservational housekeeper Debbie Berry.

“We numbered every book and shelf as well as taking some photographs so that everyone could be put back in exactly the same position.”

The books had not been touched for more than 10 years so had to be treated with care.

They were bubble wrapped, or covered in tissue paper, before being placed in a crate for the duration of the filming.

When it was time to return them every book cover was dusted down with a goat-hair brush and the residue sucked up with a special mini vacuum.

It took the team over a week to complete this part of the job.

“It looks now like they’ve never been off the shelves, but we know the work we’ve done has helped preserve them,” said Debbie, from Kingsmead.

Among the treasures on the shelves were the complete works of the Brontë Sisters, books by Elizabeth Gaskell and a handwritten Bible.

It is not the first time Arley’s library has been used by television producers.

Fans of Peaky Blinders will recognise it as Tommy Shelby’s study in the popular BBC2 drama.

In fact, it has seen so many dramas over the years someone could probably write a book about it.

“It is an incredible room and one the public seem to love when they visit,” said Debbie.

The hall is open on Sunday afternoons during winter. See arleyhallandgardens.com for opening times.