Two long-lost Doctor Who episodes featuring the Daleks have been discovered in a 'ramshackle' collection, marking a major find for fans of the classic sci-fi series. The episodes, from the 1965 serial 'The Daleks' Master Plan,' were thought lost for decades after the BBC wiped many original recordings. The discovery includes episodes one and three, which together form crucial parts of the six-part story.

Actor Peter Purves, who starred in the episodes, described the find as 'touching' and compared it to 'the holy grail' for Doctor Who enthusiasts. The episodes will be screened in London on April 4 with Purves as guest of honor, coinciding with their release on BBC iPlayer. Fans have reacted with excitement, with some suggesting a screening would sell out 'in seconds.'

The recovered episodes follow the Doctor's battle against the Daleks and their alliance with Guardian of the Solar System Mavic Chen to conquer Earth. Episode one shows the TARDIS landing on planet Kembel, while episode three involves a chase to penal planet Desperus after the Doctor steals a vital component for the Daleks' conquest. The discovery represents a significant addition to the Doctor Who archive, preserving important pieces of television history that were feared permanently lost.