Members of an exclusive London club which shares the rights to one of the best-loved characters in children's literature, the bear Winnie the Pooh, have turned down the chance of a windfall profit from their sale.

A closed meeting of Garrick Club members voted to split any proceeds between a charitable trust and the club's upkeep.

The American corporation, Disney, has offered tens of millions of dollars for the club's share of the rights.

The Pooh Bear stories -- by the children's author A.

A.

Milne -- have entertained generations of youngsters, translated into dozens of languages and selling millions of copies worldwide.

The rights to the books were bequeathed by A.

A.

Milne to a number of beneficiaries, including the Garrick -- his old London club.