Sooty creator's own puppets sell for £11k

A collection of Sooty and Sweep glove puppets used by the creator of the iconic BBC children's television show have sold at auction for double the estimate.

The dolls are part of an archive belonging to Matthew Corbett, son of Harry Corbett OBE, who invented the enduring character of Sooty, a kind-hearted but cheeky water pistol-wielding bear, while working as an engineer in Blackpool in 1948.

Five puppets were up for auction as part of the collection, which also included a mechanical puppeteer's rod, DVDs of the shows, and other Sooty-related memorabilia.

Auctioneers Hansons estimated the collection at between £4,000 to £6,000, but they sold for £11,000 following a flurry of bids.

The Sooty Show ran from 1955, with Corbett presenting until 1975, when son Matthew took over, until 1992.

Sooty has continued various guises since then.

A silver plated tankard, engraved with Harry Corbett's initials, and hardback book presented to Corbett after his appearance on chat show This is Your Life are also included in the lot.

As well Sooty, two Sweep and two Soo puppets, described by Hansons as "in very good condition", are included in the collection.

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