THE original puppets from the childhood classic film the Wind in the Willows are to go on display having been 'lost' for almost 30 years.

Twenty-five figures worth £10,000, including the four main characters, Badger, Toad, Mole and Ratty, were due to have been sold at auction in Dorchester in April after 26 years in storage.

But they were withdrawn from sale at Duke's Auctioneers and instead donated to an arts centre that houses memorabilia from the film's original production company.

The figures were used in the 1983 animation film and subsequent TV show which ran for 52 episodes on ITV from 1984 to 1988.

The original book, published in 1908, was written by Kenneth Grahame.

The beloved movie, in which Sir David Jason provided the voices for Toad and Chief Weasel, won a BAFTA for 'best children's programme' and an international Emmy. Badger was voiced by Sir Michael Hordern, while Ian Carmichael lent his voice to Ratty.

The intricate hand made puppets range in height from 5ins to the tallest, Badger, who is 14ins.

They are made out of cast resin with metal jointed skeletons inside to give them slight movement.

The figures had been kept by Andrew Dunning – an animatronics and set designer who acquired them following the TV show's ending and stored them at his home in Dorset.

He consigned them for sale with auctioneers Duke's before the figures were spotted by arts centre Waterside in Manchester.

Waterside is home of the archive of the film production company behind Wind in the Willows - Cosgrove Hall Films.

Lee Young, managing director of Duke's Auctioneers, added: "We are delighted to have played our part in reuniting the Wind in the Willows puppets with the CHF archive.

"The figures hold a special place in many of our childhood memories and can now be enjoyed by all."

Richard Evans, a spokesman for Waterside, said: "Wind in the Willows is regarded as a childhood classic which has delighted readers and viewers down the generations since being first published in 1908.

"Time has had a slight effect on the figures, with some degradation of the finer features.

"But their previous owner took great care of them and we are so grateful that thanks to his generosity and that of Duke's Auctioneers, we are now able to bring them home to Manchester and to be a part of our CHF archives."

The collection of figures will go on display on July 8, at Waterside's monthly animator's gathering known as 'Animates'.