A MUSEUM'S Punch and Judy set isn't quite complete - but the lack of sausages may be due to the wartime rationing.

Crafted by a German prisoner-of-war, the collection was originally made as a present to British civilian Luis Hanfing, who had entertained the captives in the 1940s.

However, the rare assortment of puppets is now an exhibit at Eden Camp, a wartime museum and former PoW camp near Malton, North Yorkshire.

The nearly complete set includes Punch, Judy, the policeman, the devil and a skeleton. Each puppet is carved from wood and clothed in pieces of material, including German uniform.

"They must be pretty unique," said museum archivist Nick Hill. "They have clearly been used, but are still in very good condition.

"It is quite usual for the prisoners to make gifts for the civilians. They didn't expect to be treated as well as they were by the civilians and were quite taken aback that they were so nice. They would give the gifts as a thank-you."

The collection, which has been donated by Michael Leadbeater, of Malton, will be on display in the museum's new PoW huts by spring.