Ruby Wax provides the Pope's voice in the satirical cartoon

Popetown - which features corrupt cardinals and an elderly Pope on a pogo stick - was commissioned by BBC Three in 2002, but later rejected.

BBC bosses were concerned the 10-part animation, set in a fictional Vatican, would offend Catholics.

It features comics Matt Lucas, Bob Mortimer and Mackenzie Crook.

Crook, who starred in The Office, also wrote some of the episodes.

Popetown director Phil Ox said: "I am glad this DVD is finally out there."

The show also includes the voices of comedienne Ruby Wax as the pontiff and model Jerry Hall as a fame-hungry nun,

'Scurrilous'

"Many Catholics view this as an irreverent, gratuitous and publicly funded attack on their faith," said Joseph Devine, Bishop of Motherwell.

But Mr Ox took a more light-hearted stance, jokingly warning that "viewing this show can destroy your soul".

Last year BBC Three controller Stuart Murphy said it had been an "extremely difficult" decision to pull the show.

"There is a fine judgement line in comedy between the scurrilously funny and the offensive," he said.