Has anybody seen the Wombles? The hunt is on for TV’s favourite puppets and props

Bagpuss, the Clangers and Paddington are among the icons of childhood that fans are determined to save

Are you sitting comfortably? Bagpuss is, but Mother Clanger is not. Dougal may be - nobody is quite sure. And the Wombles - well, they haven't been seen for years.

Not all of these icons of childhood have been given the care they deserve and now some of the leading lights of children's TV and animation have called for them to be given their own home.