Frankie's rug goes on sale

The famous hairpiece is one of thousands of items of memorablia – also including his hernia belt and the couch on which he died – that are up for grabs as his former house goes on the market.

Wavering Down House is Somerset is being sold for £800,000 - but it is also full of items from his long comedy career, which are on offer for an additional £600,000.

The collection includes pictures of royalty and Hollywood stars and personal documents and effects such as his false teeth and a Christmas card from the Pope.

More than 20,000 people had visited the pink four-bedroom cottage - complete with its own bomb shelter - during a series of charity open days in the 16 years since he died.

Frankie's friend, Chris Byrne, and Dennis Heymer, his former partner and manager, currently live there. Byrne said: 'It's a one-off house, with the setting and the grounds. But the archives will boggle people's minds. We've got paintings, Frank's X-rays, his school reports and his war papers. We've even got a hernia belt and the couch where he died.'

He said it was time for he and Mr Heymer, who is now in his 80s, to 'move on' from the house.

Published: 11 May 2008