Former Rainbow presenter Geoffrey Hayes has been reunited with an old friend after buying the costume of brown bear Bungle for �3,760.

The item was for sale at an aution of cult TV and film memorabilia at Christie's in London.

The show ran from 1972-1992

Hayes, who is rehearsing a new comedy stage show, Over The Rainbow, for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival next month, was said to be "absolutely over the moon" with his purchase.

A spokeswoman for Christie's said: "There was a huge cheer from the other buyers when Bungle was sold to Geoffrey, everyone clearly approved."

Main interest

The Bungle costume came with a collection of clothes, including pyjamas, Rainbow socks and a pirate's hat.

The items of main interest at the sale included 10 artwork boards of scenes from the 1968 show Captain Scarlet, which sold for �32,547.

A velvet Disney figure of Mickey Mouse made in the 1930s sold for �1,645, while partner Minnie fetched �822.

Scripts and annotated set designs from the Muppet Show were sold for �376 while a Malibu Barbie doll fetched �235, with other Barbie, Ken and Skipper dolls selling for between �200 and �300.

A restored Thunderbirds puppet head of The Hood with a replica body, estimated �5,000 to �10,000, failed to sell.

Hayes' hour-long show promises to expose what happened to the presenter when Rainbow was dropped by ITV in 1992.

He was left struggling to find work and even stacked supermarket shelves to make a living.

The show's publicity describes it as "a story of desertion by his fluffy friends Zippy, George and Bungle - jealousy, hatred, seduction and lies".

Rainbow was first made and broadcast by Thames Television in 1972, and became a cult favourite among students and young people.

Thames lost its ITV franchise in 1992 and the show has been off TV screens since then, save for a couple of short-lived revivals which did not feature Hayes.