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.
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