Thunderbirds puppet Lady Penelope in charity auction

The 19in (48cm) Lady Penelope replica puppet boasts optic eyes, real hair and the "same teeth as the original puppet"

A Lady Penelope puppet, donated by the son of Thunderbirds creator Gerry Anderson, is to be sold for charity.

Mr Anderson, who also created science-fiction series Captain Scarlet, Joe 90 and Stingray, died in 2013 following a battle with Alzheimer's disease.

His son Jamie, from Highworth in Wiltshire, said the proceeds will be donated to the Alzheimer's Society.

The 19in (48cm) replica with optic eyes and the "same make of teeth as the original", is being auctioned on eBay.

'Had no idea'

The science-fiction fantasy about a daring rescue squad, was filmed in a studio on the Slough Trading Estate in Berkshire and was first aired on TV screens in October 1965.

At its peak, Thunderbirds was attracting an audience of 100 million fans in 66 countries around the world.

But, according to Jamie Anderson, after his father was diagnosed with Alzheimer's in 2011 - he "had no idea" he was its creator.

"For a man who made Thunderbirds, created it and was best known for that - he would say to me: What was that show that I made?," he said.

Gerry Anderson and Thunderbirds character Virgil Tracey in 2012, supporting a Memory Walk organised by the Alzheimer's Society

"I could say the name 'Thunderbirds' and it meant nothing to him. For the disease to affect him in that way, was a really distressing thing to see."

Donated by a fan to the son of her original creator, the Lady Penelope puppet boasts a head made of fibre glass - like the original - and real human hair.

"Before Dad died he fulfilled his ambition of raising awareness of dementia and funds for Alzheimer's Society," said Mr Anderson.

"He'd be so pleased to know of the sale of one of his most iconic characters in aid of a charity that was so close to his heart."