The founder of Britain's Teddy Bear Museum has tried to broker a deal in the escalating dispute over the home of the "Winnie the Pooh Five".

Former Conservative MP Gyles Brandreth struck a conciliatory tone designed to save face on both sides of the Atlantic. He has offered Pooh and his four friends - Tigger, Kanga, Eyore and Piglet - a holiday in the UK.

Newspapers in Britain and America have been consumed by the plight the "Pooh Bear Five".

The five toys are the original animals that were the inspiration for AA Milne's hugely popular Christopher Robin stories. Bought in Harrods, London, more than 70 years ago they were donated to a New York Library in the 1980s.

They have been there without much fuss until Labour MP Gwyneth Dunwoody appealed to Prime Minister Tony Blair to negotiate their return during his official visit to Washington.

Gyles Brandreth: "He doesn't belong to any country."

The Americans were not impressed and pledged to keep Pooh and co. at any price.

Now Mr Brandreth has stepped into the fray with the aim of calming tensions on both sides. He has suggested bringing Pooh and the crew back to Britain for a holiday.

Mr Brandreth, a friend of the late Christopher Robin Milne who was the subject of the children's classics, even wondered if the toys might go on a world tour to mark the Millenium.

"There is no question about it. Pooh and his friends should stay in New York," said Mr Brandreth.

But he insisted: "He doesn't belong to any country. He belongs to the world. I'm trying to arrange a compromise for the animals to come to Britain on vacation."

The American press were defiant

Mr Brandreth, who is the founder of the Teddy Bear Museum in Stratford-upon-Avon, said he had been in touch with New York library officials and was optimistic about brokering a deal.

But it could take more than the offer of a holiday to satisfy the uncompromising demands of Britain's tabloid press.

The Sun took a defiant stance over the matter, threatening to kidnap Buzz Lightyear, star of Disney's Toy Story, in retaliation. Readers of the Mirror were told: "There is no doubt about it. Winnie the Pooh must be brought back to Britain. The Americans will surely allow that if we pay the right price. How about offering them a jar of honey?"

In an interview with the American ABC television network, Tony Blair said the issue would not be high on the agenda of his meeting with President Clinton.
 

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