Show Selected (active) Category Filter Attributes

Question

I have updated the filters to show as a dropdown menu, rather than an . I updated template/catalog/layer/filter.phtml to be:

<select onchange="setLocation(this.value)">
    <option  selected ="selected"><?php echo $this->__('sshhh') ?></option>
    <?php foreach ($this->getItems() as $_item): ?>
        <?php if ($_item->getCount() > 0): ?>
            <option  value="<?php echo $this->urlEscape($_item->getUrl()) ?>"><?php echo $_item->getLabel() ?></option>
        <?php endif; ?>
    <?php endforeach ?>
</select>

Problem: The filter disappears once selected and is added to the 'Currently Shopping By' section

Objective: I'd like the filter dropdown to persist, even when one of the filter items has been selected. (I'd also like the dropdown to automatically pre-select whichever attribute filter is currently active, if any. But I can do this bit, I think)

Help: How do I keep a filter displayed, even when one of the filter items is selected? I've traced the route back to the core files, but at no point does it seem to 'hide' selected/active filters, it seems.

Thanks

Answer 1

There are plenty extensions that do this.

My favourite is ManaDev Multiple Select In Layered Navigation (Filters) But there are others.

There is a similar question here

Both answers can provide info on your problem.